Cal State LA has been awarded a $1.4 million NASA grant to develop an AI system for wildfire prediction and management

Cal State LA has received a $1.4 million grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop an innovative artificial intelligence system designed to forecast wildfire progression and evaluate its impact on air quality.

The Earth System Digital Twin for Wildfire project is led by Mohammad Pourhomayoun, professor of computer science and director of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Research Lab at Cal State LA. In collaboration with the City of Los Angeles, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), George Mason University, and the OpenAQ nonprofit environmental tech organization, the university is developing an advanced AI-powered system for high-resolution wildfire simulation and forecasting.

With support from the two-year NASA grant, the project addresses the growing threat of wildfires, which have become more frequent and destructive in recent years. The goal is to develop an AI-based digital system that can provide real-time, high-resolution simulations of wildfire behavior, enabling predictions of wildfire growth and spread hours to days in advance. The system will also model the resulting air quality impacts, allowing for more informed public health responses.

"We are truly honored to have been selected for this highly competitive NASA grant, and we look forward to contributing innovative AI-driven solutions to mitigate wildfire risks and impacts," said Pourhomayoun, the grant's principal investigator. "Receiving this award is both a privilege and a responsibility, and we are deeply grateful for NASA's support as we remain committed to advancing the science of artificial intelligence and wildfire management."

The Earth System Digital Twin will utilize advanced AI algorithms, satellite data, ground-based data, and atmospheric modeling to forecast wildfire behavior and spread, and its effects on air quality with greater efficiency and accuracy. These insights will provide valuable guidance for emergency responders, firefighters, public health officials, and policymakers.

In addition to improving emergency response strategies, the project aims to enhance data-driven decision-making for evacuation planning, resource allocation, and long-term environmental resilience.

"This project will also play a pivotal role in efficiently evacuating individuals to secure locations, ensuring a prompt and coordinated approach to saving lives during wildfire incidents," Pourhomayoun said.

Pourhomayoun, who has over 15 years of experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning systems, and data science research, has published more than 120 peer-reviewed papers and received multiple Best Paper Awards. His work focuses on developing AI-based predictive analytics for real-world challenges in areas such as urban sustainability, healthcare, and public safety. The AI and Data Science Research Lab, which he directs, is housed in Cal State LA's College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology and focuses on building advanced AI and machine learning systems for social good, public health, and emergency response.

# # #

California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 270,000 distinguished alumni.