Characterization of 2007 Waycross Wildfires Jeff Dennis Graduate Student, University of Georgia Prospective Master’s of Environmental Health Science

B.S. in Chemistry from Columbus State University B.S. in Chemistry from Columbus State University 2 nd year Master’s Student in Environmental Health Science 2 nd year Master’s Student in Environmental Health Science Dr. Naeher’s Group Dr. Naeher’s Group

Waycross Characterization of the 2007 Waycross Wildfires by Using Real-time Monitors Characterization of the 2007 Waycross Wildfires by Using Real-time Monitors Characterization paper from an emergency management situation Characterization paper from an emergency management situation

Background March 29 th, 2007 wildfires broke out in southern Georgia March 29 th, 2007 wildfires broke out in southern Georgia Brought about by prolonged drought Brought about by prolonged drought April 19 th, 2007 Dr. Naeher contacted by the Southeastern District Health Department for smoke monitoring April 19 th, 2007 Dr. Naeher contacted by the Southeastern District Health Department for smoke monitoring April 21, 2007 UGA smoke monitoring crew arrived in Waycross for monitoring April 21, 2007 UGA smoke monitoring crew arrived in Waycross for monitoring

Waycross Monitoring of particulate matter and carbon monoxide Monitoring of particulate matter and carbon monoxide Used to help with emergency operations in the area Used to help with emergency operations in the area

Waycross Primary focus was Health Dept. needs Primary focus was Health Dept. needs Monitoring of schools Monitoring of schools Suggestions for public functions Suggestions for public functions Daily report of monitoring Daily report of monitoring Goals Goals Help decision makers with data Help decision makers with data Try to minimize harm to the public Try to minimize harm to the public

Waycross Objectives Objectives To characterize the activity of the smoke in a wildfire emergency situation Incorporate particulate matter, carbon monoxide and wind data Show how wind direction affects the levels of different constituents of smoke

Two parts of the study Two parts of the study Waycross portion was an emergency response act Waycross portion was an emergency response act The Fargo study was for normalizing the DustTrak’s for the Waycross study The Fargo study was for normalizing the DustTrak’s for the Waycross study

Waycross Sampling Apparatus Sampling Apparatus DustTrak Aerosol Monitor Langan CO monitor PQ200 Ambient Fine Particulate Sampler

DustTrak Measures Particulate Matter in the air Measures Particulate Matter in the air Can sample different sizes of particulates Can sample different sizes of particulates Spectrophotometric analysis Spectrophotometric analysis Measurements are known to be elevated Measurements are known to be elevated

Langan Carbon monoxide monitor Carbon monoxide monitor 0.1 ppm resolution 0.1 ppm resolution Easy to use, durable, and lightweight Easy to use, durable, and lightweight

PQ200 EPA federal reference method EPA federal reference method Gold standard Gold standard Accurate Accurate

Sampling locations Sampling locations Varied initially Varied initially Sampling durations varied Sampling durations varied

34 data sets 34 data sets 6 days in smoky conditions 6 days in smoky conditions 5 days at selected locations 5 days at selected locations 1 day co-located for normalization and reduction purposes 1 day co-located for normalization and reduction purposes

Waycross Data Analysis Data Analysis Fargo normalization and reduction ratio applied Fargo normalization and reduction ratio applied Basic statistical analysis Basic statistical analysis Mean, Standard Deviation, 95% Confidence Interval Mean, Standard Deviation, 95% Confidence Interval Kernel Smoothing and Area under Curve Kernel Smoothing and Area under Curve

Normalization Method Normalization Method Median average chosen as bench Median average chosen as bench Normalization ratio: Normalization ratio: Bench/DustTrak Bench/DustTrak Applied to each data set Applied to each data set

Reduction Method Reduction Method PQ200 gravimetric data analyzed Reduction ratio DustTrak Bench Gravimetric Ave. Ratio applied to each data set

Preliminary Data from Fargo

Statistical Analysis Kernal smoothing Kernal smoothing Used to reduce the variation in measurement Used to reduce the variation in measurement Allows for easier analysis by SAS Allows for easier analysis by SAS Area under the Curve Area under the Curve Possibility to incorporate wind data Possibility to incorporate wind data Associate wind with increase in particulate matter Associate wind with increase in particulate matter

Waycross Data Next few slides show all the data collected for a single day and all locations on that day Next few slides show all the data collected for a single day and all locations on that day Show what exactly we are working with Show what exactly we are working with

Preliminary Data from Waycross

One location showed an average above the 35 μg/m^3 24 hr average set by the EPA for PM 2.5 One location showed an average above the 35 μg/m^3 24 hr average set by the EPA for PM 2.5 Ga. Forestry Commission on 4/25/2008 Ga. Forestry Commission on 4/25/2008 Staging area for firefighters and close proximity to fire Staging area for firefighters and close proximity to fire No location showed an 8 hr average over 9 ppm set forth by the EPA for carbon monoxide No location showed an 8 hr average over 9 ppm set forth by the EPA for carbon monoxide No location showed a 1 hr average of above 35 ppm set forth by the EPA for carbon monoxide No location showed a 1 hr average of above 35 ppm set forth by the EPA for carbon monoxide

Waycross Characterization paper Characterization paper Will include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and wind data to show how the smoke reacts to different conditions and locations Will be able to interpret data to understand Smoke from a wildfire for better public health awareness Actions to reduce public exposure

Acknowledgements Dr. Luke Naeher Dr. Luke Naeher Jeff Garnett Jeff Garnett Dr. Trina VanWaldner Dr. Trina VanWaldner Southeastern Georgia Health Department Southeastern Georgia Health Department Adam Gray Adam Gray

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