The Latest
This page highlights updates on AIRI's Events, New Projects, Collaborations, Research, and Team. Updates are ongoing, so check back often!
Events
Jul. 23, 2026
From Forecast to Fireline
Dr. Samantha Kramer presented "From Forecast to Fireline: Advancing Wind Prediction for Wildland Fire Operations" at the Unifying Innovations in Forecasting Capabilities Workshop in College Park, MD on July 23, 2026. Her talk tackled a persistent problem: weather models consistently underestimate wind speed extremes over complex terrain, leaving firefighters and communities caught off guard. Using the Thomas Fire as a case study, Sam showed how dynamically downscaled forecasts can capture hour-to-hour wind extremes tied to topography and fire progression that coarser models miss, a powerful reminder that better wind forecasting is a matter of protecting lives on the fireline.
Events
Jul. 16, 2026
Bringing Exertion-Adjusted Air Quality Guidance to Colorado
We're excited to share a new project with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment! On July 16, 2026, Dr. Samantha Kramer presented the project introduction, "Operationalizing Air Quality & Exertion-Adjusted Risk for Outdoor Physical Activity." Current air quality guidance often falls short for people exercising outdoors, since a light walk and a vigorous run can carry very different risks under the same conditions. Through this project, AIRI will expand local air monitoring and build a public dashboard to help Coloradans make more informed decisions about outdoor activity.
New Projects
July 2026
AIRI Partners with Lifers Leaving a Legacy
We're proud to announce a new partnership and project with Lifers Leaving a Legacy, an Oakland-based Community Protection Organization dedicated to empowering residents and building stronger, healthier neighborhoods. Founded by Mr. Charles Reed, Lifers works alongside the community to turn local knowledge into action, and we're honored to support that mission with our air quality expertise. As part of this project, AIRI will help build a real-time air quality dashboard for East Oakland, giving community members easy, ongoing access to monitoring data right in their neighborhood. We'll also be conducting analysis of air toxics, including metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to help the community better understand not just their air quality, but the specific sources of pollution affecting their neighborhood. We're excited to put trusted information directly in the hands of the people who need it most.
Collaborations
Jun. 15, 2026
CloudFire Inc.
We're excited to announce a new collaboration with CloudFire Inc.! CloudFire's Chris Lautenberger created ELMFIRE, a wildfire simulation tool already trusted by utility companies and counties across the US to help predict how fires spread. We're teaming up with CloudFire to combine forces to improve the science of wildfire behavior and modeling, building better forecasting tools to reduce wildfire risk.
Events
June 2026
Weather & Climate Livestream
Wildfire smoke doesn't check passports and neither should the science that protects us from it.
At the Weather & Climate Livestream, Dr. Samantha Kramer broke down why wildfires and smoke have become a problem without borders. From evacuation science and fire-weather forecasting to the "run from fire, hide from smoke" guidance that keeps communities safe.
Check out her presentation here, watch the talk (right), and join us in advocating for publicly funded wildfire science and research!
Team Feature
Jun. 2, 2026
Olivia and Crystal Join AIRI!
We are thrilled to welcome two exceptional scientists to the AIRI team!
At AIRI, our advantage lies in the credibility of our people — delivering high-rigor science with the speed and flexibility of an independent partner. Crystal D. McClure, PhD and Olivia Ryder, Ph.D. embody exactly that.
Collaborations
Apr. 1, 2026
Integrated Atmospheric Alliance
As a Managing Member, we're thrilled to introduce the Integrated Atmospheric Alliance (IAA) — a new consortium of environmental science experts united by one belief: the science should speak for itself. Transparent science. Trusted outcomes.
IAA brings together leading specialists in air quality, wildfire and smoke science, environmental consulting, and litigation expert testimony. Our structure is built for the complexity of today's environmental challenges — multiple experts, one coordinated framework, seamless collaboration.
Collaborations
Feb. 2, 2026
Pyregence Consortium
Dr. Kramer has joined the Pyregence Consortium; a collaborative wildland fire research network! AIRI is looking forward to advancing open-source tools, data, and science together.
Team Feature
Jan. 1, 2026
Announcing AIRI's Founding Member
With a new year comes new opportunities. We are excited to announce the formation of the Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research Institute! Founded by Samantha J Kramer, PhD we are thrilled to continue robust and ethical scientific research, tool development, community outreach, litigation support, and consulting through this new employee-owned small business. Stay tuned for more updates!
