Using Volunteer Observer Networks to Monitor Precipitation and Wildfires
The availability of critical data for improving predictions of and response to extreme events, such as droughts, floods, and wildfires, and for alerting citizens to life-threatening situations in a timely manner, is poor in some regions of North America. This project aims to assess the feasibility of establishing and expanding citizen science observer networks to complement federal and subnational observational capacities and improve decision-making and preparedness.
Issues
- The availability of critical data to improve extreme event prediction and response and alert citizens to life-threatening situations in a timely manner is poor in some areas of North America
Aim
- The CEC is expanding the use of volunteer observer networks to address information gaps in monitoring and predicting impacts of droughts, precipitation events and wildfires
Deliverables
- Feasibility study for the expansion of the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) Network and the Smoke Sense citizen science project across North America, to complement established environmental observation networks in the three countries
