NASA researchers Michael Vincent and Joey Mercer are working on a program called ACERO (Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations) to enhance safety and flight operations in wildland firefighting. The program aims to enable uncrewed suppression activities in tricky visibility conditions, such as dense fog or smoke, by using digital operations. This research is in its first phase of five and is intended to supplement current wildland fire operations rather than replace them [d88928a7].
NASA's efforts to enhance safety and flight operations in wildland firefighting are part of the agency's broader mission to apply its expertise to various fields. By leveraging digital operations, NASA aims to enable firefighting activities to continue 24/7, regardless of challenging weather conditions. The ACERO program, led by Michael Vincent and Joey Mercer, is an important step towards improving the effectiveness and efficiency of wildland firefighting operations. This research has the potential to revolutionize the way wildfires are fought, ensuring the safety of firefighters and enhancing the overall effectiveness of firefighting efforts [d88928a7].
While the ACERO program is focused on enhancing safety and flight operations in wildland firefighting, it is important to note that it is meant to supplement existing operations rather than replace them. The goal is to leverage digital operations to enable uncrewed suppression activities in challenging visibility conditions. By doing so, NASA aims to enhance the safety of firefighters and improve the efficiency of firefighting efforts. This research is still in its early stages, with the ACERO program currently in its first phase of five. As the research progresses, it has the potential to significantly impact wildland firefighting practices and contribute to the overall effectiveness of firefighting operations [d88928a7].