Smoke Management Prescribed Fire as a Management Tool

Smoke Management Prescribed Fire as a Management Tool September 14 -17, 1999 Ferndale, AR

What is Smoke Management? Conducting a prescribed fire under fuel moisture and meteorological conditions, and using firing techniques, that keep the smoke’s impact on the environment (including people) within acceptable limits

Smoke Management Why is it important? Laws and regulations that govern air quality – Federal, such as Clean Air Act, National Ambient Air Quality Standards – State air quality laws, Smoke Management Plans, State Implementation Plans, Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines – County ordinances

Smoke Management Why is it important? Maintain visibility on roads and highways

Smoke Management Why is it important?

When do most smoke-related accidents occur?

Smoke Management Why is it important? Public concerns – nuisance smoke – public health

Smoke Management Why is it important? Health concerns

Five Air Toxins in Smoke • • • Respirable particulates Carbon monoxide Formaldehyde Acrolein Benzene

Managing Smoke Exposure • Brief your crew • Rotate people out of high exposure areas • Consider using respirators • Monitor with CO dosimeters

Managing Smoke Exposure This is not a respirator!

Three basic goals for smoke management are: 1. Identify and avoid smoke sensitive areas 2. Disperse and dilute smoke before it reaches smoke sensitive areas 3. Reduce total emissions from the burn

Smoke Management Toolbox

Smoke Management Planning • Define fire management objectives clearly – Burn only what you need to burn • Set smoke management objectives • Follow Voluntary Smoke Mgt. Guidelines • Be familiar with the area – Inside and outside the unit • Choose an appropriate wind direction • Burn small units

Smoke Management Planning • • • Keep fuel loads low (“available fuels”) Burn when fine fuel moisture is low Burn when duff is moist (KBDI <200) Alter ignition techniques Don’t burn under an inversion Be aware of nighttime temperature and RH – overnight low within 5 o of dew point – >80% RH

Smoke Management Planning • Consider burn date and window • Prescribe for good atmospheric dispersion – minimum mixing height of 1700 ft (500 m) – minimum transport windspeed of 9 mph (4 mps) – ventilation rate of 2000 (MH x TWS) • use with caution! (high windspeed & low MH)

Smoke Management Planning

Smoke Management Planning • Have contingency plan ready • Plan for aggressive mop-up • Complete smoke-screening procedure – high tech – low tech • Notify neighbors in advance • Smoke easements

On the Day of the Burn • Obtain permit, weather forecast, category day • Conduct test burn • Make go/no-go decision • Monitor crew exposure • Station smoke observer at smoke sensitive areas

On the Day of the Burn • • Make written smoke observations Be prepared! Document extent of any problem Mop up aggressively, if appropriate

Stay alert. . . You don’t know what may happen!