FIRE EFFECTS MONITORING LESSON 4 SMOKE OBSERVATIONS

Objectives  Describe and document smoke characteristics; recognize and report significant changes.  Recognize and report air quality concerns.

Tasks from FEMO/FOBS Taskbook 15. Review the project objectives, monitoring plan or management objectives as appropriate. Communicate concerns to supervisor.  Smoke management requirements. 18. Monitor and record smoke management information.  Recognize and report visibility problems.  Maintain communications with the local air quality contacts, National Weather Service, weather observers, lookouts.  Identify smoke characteristics, including inversions, wind sheared columns, direction of smoke flow, and smoke impacts to sensitive sites

Introduction Weather and Fire Behavior Indication of wind direction, speed and changes with altitude Warning of change in fire intensity and change in fuel characteristics Signs of atmospheric instability Air Quality Concerns Firefighter and public health Visibility and traffic safety Impacts on sensitive areas Why monitor smoke?

Smoke observations can tell you valuable information about weather and fire behavior. Smoke characteristics that relate to weather and fire behavior: Smoke Characteristics Color Dispersal direction and height Smoke inversions Column characteristics

Smoke Color: Darker colors = heavier fuels Smoke Characteristics

Smoke dispersal direction indicates wind direction Smoke Characteristics

Wind-driven fire is controlled by a strong, consistent wind. Smoke Characteristics

Fire driven by an upslope wind Smoke Characteristics

Sheared columns mean:  High winds aloft  Long-range spotting Smoke Characteristics

Smoke changing direction at higher altitudes indicates battling winds and potential wind shifts. Smoke Characteristics

Smoke rising straight up indicates an unstable atmosphere. Smoke Characteristics

Inversions indicate a stable atmosphere.

Fire behavior increases when inversions lift. Smoke Characteristics

Vertical development of a convection column is influenced by:  Fire intensity  Stability  Winds aloft Smoke Characteristics

Strong winds discourage vertical development. Watch for:  Short-range spotting  Rapid rates of spread Smoke Characteristics

Plume- dominated fire  Intense burning  Unpredictable fire spread in any direction  Spotting

Darker smoke within the column indicates that fire intensity is increasing. Smoke Characteristics

Rotating columns indicate unpredictable fire behavior. Smoke Characteristics

Indians Fire: June 11, 2008

A collapsing column will produce strong erratic down bursts of wind in all directions. Warning signs:  Light rain  Sudden calm Smoke Characteristics

Zaca Fire: August 14, 2007

Communicate critical changes! Smoke Characteristics

Air quality affects the health and safety of fire personnel and the public. Air Quality Health Public Fire personnel Visibility Fire Aviation Traffic safety Scenic resources Socio-economic-political concerns Tourism economies Air quality regulations Air Quality Concerns:

Air Quality Fuel consumed determines smoke production.

Smoke and Public Health Air Quality

Smoke and Firefighter Health Air Quality

Visibility and Fire Aviation Air Quality

Visibility and Traffic Safety Air Quality

Visibility and Scenic Values Air Quality

Class I Airsheds Air Quality

Tourism Air Quality

Smoke Sensitive Areas Air Quality

Smoke Management Programs  Minimize smoke in populated areas  Avoid deterioration of air quality  Eliminate visibility impacts in Class I areas Air Quality

Smoke and Air Quality Observations Air Quality

 Smoke observations can tell you valuable information about fire behavior.  Critical changes must be communicated. Summary

 Air quality affects the health and safety of fire personnel and the public.  Communication of smoke observations can help mitigate health and safety concerns and ensure compliance with air quality regulations. Summary