Data Challenges
Data challenges are an excellent opportunity for organizations to bring real-world questions to the community while leveraging the full capabilities of Wildfire Commons.
They connect data owners, researchers, and students around a shared problem, turning raw or unstructured data into actionable insights, tools, and solutions.
Who Benefits from Data Challenges
| Audience | Value |
|---|---|
| Researchers | Bring open questions to the broader community and crowdsource fresh approaches and expertise. |
| Students | Gain hands-on experience with real-world problems, unstructured data, and research-grade systems. |
| Organizations | Add value to existing data products, models, and assets by uncovering new use cases and solutions. |
Example Data Challenge
The Data Challenge and Onboarding is a permanent, publicly available resource for the community. It is a copy of the Fire-Ready Forests Data Challenge, originally hosted on the National Data Platform between February and April 2025.
The challenge remains open to any user who wants to go through the same experience as the original participants. Reproducible solutions from the winning team and honorable mentions are also included.
Use it as:
- Hosts — A reference for structuring and building a well-designed challenge.
- Students — A hands-on learning resource, using real materials from a completed challenge.
Explore Active and Past Challenges
Looking for a challenge to join, or want to see what's already been done? Visit the Data Challenges site to browse active and previous data challenges hosted on Wildfire Commons.