Wildfires have tremendous consequences for ecosystems, air quality, and climate. The allocated project will bring together Dutch satellite data, computer models, and field research to map the global effects of wildfires. These insights help improve fire forecasts and develop strategies for risk management.

Goal of the call

The overarching goal of GO is to support the substantial use of infrastructure in space for scientific research in the broad GO themes of Earth observation and planets (and other objects) within our solar system. 

For this new GO round, the space infrastructure and scientific research are delineated. It concerns space atmospheric instruments with significant Dutch involvement. The research addresses interdisciplinary scientific questions at the intersection of atmospheric research and one or more other (sub-)disciplines of Earth and environmental sciences such as land, water, and ice. 

With this call, NWO and NSO aim to ensure that Dutch investments in satellite atmospheric instruments are utilized even better, and that the interaction between the various sub-disciplines in Earth observation and Earth and environmental sciences is strengthened.

Netherlands Space Office

The Netherlands Space Office (NSO) is the space agency of the Dutch government. The task of the NSO is to implement Dutch space policy and to advise on its preparation.

Allocated project

INFLAMES: Satellites see a world in flames
Lead applicant: Dr. Folkert Boersma (Wageningen University and Research)
Co-applicants: Dr. M. de Graaf (KNMI), Dr. G.B. Koren (Utrecht University), Dr. O.P. Hasekamp (SRON), Dr. N.A.J. Schutgens (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), Dr. M.J.M. Penning de Vries (University of Twente), Prof. Dr. P.M. van Bodegom (Leiden University)

Wildfires have significant consequences for ecosystems, air quality, and climate. Due to climate change and human activities, they are also becoming increasingly intense. The INFLAMES project brings together Dutch satellite data, computer models, and field research to better understand how these fires start and what their global effects are. Scientists from various fields – from climate science and ecology to social sciences – collaborate to investigate the impact of smoke, vegetation changes, and climate effects. By combining these insights, INFLAMES helps improve fire forecasts and develop strategies to manage risks in a changing climate.