Multi-angle LIDAR for remote sensing smoke emissions from wildfires

Abstract

Wildfires generate plumes of smoke which release toxic pollutants into the atmosphere and affect the surrounding air quality significantly. Smoke contains carbonous particles that influence the regional climate patterns. Wildfires sometimes generate thick smoke layers that cause poor visibility and accidents. Generally smoke tends to disperse in form of layers in the atmosphere. Aircraft measurements are performed to understand the dynamics of smoke plumes. However, these measurements involve cost and enormous amount of exercise. Significant amount of information is required for understanding the dissipation of smoke from wildfires. Occasionally, smoke generated from wildfires cross political boundaries and influence chemical composition of atmosphere. Recently, at a unit of Department of Space (DOS) located near Tirupati, a laser radar system was developed indigenously for remote sensing smoke layers in the atmosphere. The developed laser radar system uses a novel multi-angle method to track the smoke layers in the atmosphere. The LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) system uses visible wavelength for probing smoke layers. The system was operated during dry season to remote sense smoke layers produced by wildfires that occurred in the nearby reserve forest. During the observations, the LIDAR system was found suitable for tracking smoke plume boundaries, its top height, dispersion and change of its intensity with time.