The WMO Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution Warning Advisory and Assessment System (VFSP-WAS): Concept, current capabilities, research and development challenges and the way ahead

Abstract

<p>Vegetation fires &#8211; including the application of fire in land use, land-use change and uncontrolled wildfire &#8211; affect the functioning of the Earth System and impose significant threats to public health and security.&#160; This paper presents the concept of a Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution Warning Advisory and Assessment System (VFSP-WAS^*). It describes the scientific rationale for the system and provides guidance for addressing the issues of vegetation fire and smoke pollution, including key research challenges. The paper&#160; proposes the establishment of VFSP-WAS regional centers and describes&#160; Potential examples of&#160; this VFSP-WAS concept are described from two regions in (South-East Asia and North America) where regional centers will partner with Regional Fire Monitoring / Fire Management Resource Centers.</p><p>*) https://community.wmo.int/activity-areas/gaw/science/modelling-applications/vfsp-was&#160;</p>