Burn Plan- fire behavior modeling Florida live fuel moisture contents

SMOKE MANAGEMENT USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 Burner’s Proverb: My Fire and My Smoke are My Problems, wherever they go. (

Credits Thanks to authors: This presentation was developed based on slides from the Prescribed Fire Training Center in Florida, the Withlacoochee Training Center, and from USDA Forest Service Air Resources Management training.

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008OBJECTIVES FL Certified Prescribed Burn Manger training  Learn major pollutants of smoke  Understand and designate smoke sensitive areas and CRITICAL SSA  Know the current legal requirements for managing smoke during rx burns  Identify indicators that inversions may be likely, including DI (dispersion index)  Identify ignition strategies to mitigate smoke  Learn the smoke screening system

Smoke Management Costs to Prescribed Burning Programs Reduce number of burning days Constraints on tonnage consumed False starts –Delays until later in the day, year or next year Extra cost of mop-up Monitoring costs

Smoke Management Benefits The continued use of prescribed fire as a management tool Improved air quality through fewer smoke intrusions Fewer public complaints Reduction of litigation and liability costs

What Is Smoke? Water vapor combined with gases and small particles Flaming fire phase (only about 25% of the smoke is dispersed at ground level) Smoldering fire phase- 2x smoke of flaming phase… (poor combustion and smoke disperses down drainages) USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008

Smoke Emissions Ozone (O 3 ) + Carbon Dioxide ( lbs per ton of fuel consumed) Water Carbon Monoxide Hydrocarbons (VOCs) Nitrogen Oxides Particulate MatterParticulate Matter USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 Damages plant tissues Key ingredient of smog Bad for human health

Particulate Matter Smoke particles are relatively small < PM 2.5 microns PM microns > PM 10 microns 70.0% 20.0% 10.0% (similar size to pollen) (similar size to fly ash) (similar size to dust) USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008

Fine Particulate, PM 2.5

PUBLIC CONCERNS 1. Nuisance Smoke1. Nuisance Smoke –Increasing Population Within WUI Increased potential for complaints of nuisance smoke –Popular Recreation Areas –Disney? SMOKE: WHY BE CONCERNED?

2. Health Effects Related to Particulate Matter2. Health Effects Related to Particulate Matter Increased Premature Deaths Aggravation of respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses Changes in lung function / structure / natural defense SMOKE: WHY BE CONCERNED? PUBLIC CONCERNS

Public Perception of Prescribed Burning

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January SAFETY! N PUBLIC CONCERNS 10 acre unit Major Highway Winds 5-11 mph Predicted RH= 60%+

3 SAFETY

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 SAFETY Interstate 4: Florida (January 9, 2008)- FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January Safety- six burned vehicles, 4 fatalities, 38 injured. 70 cars/ trucks damaged. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) ( Reinhold Matay – AP)

3. Safety moke-from-forest-service-prescribed- fire-causes-school-bus-crash/ Smoke from Forest Service prescribed fire causes school bus crash

SMOKE MANAGEMENT PLAN Objectives: Prevent public health and safety hazards!! Minimize amount of smoke entering smoke sensitive areas Avoid significant deterioration of air quality Avoid NAAQS violations USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 Where are these objectives in your burn plan? Description of burn unit Map of burn unit Weather factors Season and time of day Smoke screening plan Publicity Firing plan/ ignitions Control and mop-up Fuel conditions

Fuel Characteristics Affecting the Volume of Smoke Produced Type of fuel Fuel moisture and size Fuel arrangement and compaction Amount of fuel (loading)

Know your Meteorological Thresholds. Avoid:Avoid: –Mixing Heights < 1700’ –Transport Winds (Speed and Direction) >9 mph –Dispersion Index >41 or less than 8 at night –LVORI <7 USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 Weather Characteristics affecting smoke Stable Atmosphere Un-stable Atmosphere

How else do we minimize risk? Suggested: for rough > 2yrs, use backing fire, unless done 3 hrs before sunset Mop up promptly! Keep stumps, snags from burning, or extinguish them carefully

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 What MUST we do? Legal Requirements CLEAN AIR ACT States, Tribes, local gov’t take the lead State/Tribal Implementation Plans Smoke Management Programs EPA Sets limits on emissions / pollutants NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards) Reviewed Every 5 years Non-attainment and Maintenance Areas Approves States’ plans

NAAQS: PollutantPrimary Stds.Averaging TimesSecondary Stds. Carbon Monoxide9 ppm (10 mg/m 3 ) 8-hour (1) (1) None 35 ppm (40 mg/m 3 )1-hour (1) (1) None Lead1.5 µg/m 3 Quarterly AverageSame as Primary Nitrogen Dioxide0.053 ppm (100 µg/m 3 )Annual (Arithmetic Mean) Same as Primary Particulate Matter (PM10) 150 µg/m 3 24-hour (3) (3) Same as Primary Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) 15.0 µg/m 3 Annual (4) (Arith. Mean) (4)Same as Primary 35 µg/m 3 24-hour (5) (5) Same as Primary Ozone0.075 ppm8-hour (6) (6) Same as Primary 0.12 ppm1-hour (7) (Applies only in limited areas) (7) Same as Primary Sulfur Oxides0.03 ppmAnnual (Arith. Mean) ppm24-hour (1) (1) hour (1) (1) 0.5 ppm (1300 µg/m 3 )

Florida Air Quality Monitoring- Paynes Prairie Raw Data- yearly, daily, historicalFlorida Air Quality Monitoring- Paynes Prairie Florida smoke monitoring interactive MapFlorida smoke monitoring

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 SMOKE: WHY BE CONCERNED? LEGAL REQUIREMENTS Federal Agencies must comply with state and local regulations and procedures Burn permits Others vary by state Visibility must be maintained Class I Areas- e.g. National Parks >5000 acres

CLASS I AREAS Native American Lands

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 Legal requirements KNOW THE NON-ATTAINMENT AREAS IN YOUR AREA Areas that the State and EPA have determined exceed the NAAQS for specific pollutant(s). Burning OR sending smoke into a Non-Attainment Area: May require Conformity Analysis Completed with NEPA Call your Air Specialist Work with the state prior to the burn

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 TOOLS to help prescribed burners plan for compliance Weather-related predictions Smoke Modeling Smoke Monitoring Atmospheric Dispersion Index NASA Satellite Imagery of Fires in Georgia: May 7, 2007 in Georgia: May 7, 2007

TOOLS FOR MANAGING SMOKE Smoke Modeling USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 Burn Plan  Day of BurnBurn Plan  Day of Burn –SIMPLE SMOKE SCREENING –SASEM –V-SMOKE –V-SMOKE GIS –SMOKE IMPACT SPREADSHEET –HYSPLIT –PB-PIEDMONT –BLUESKY –Available:

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 TOOLS FOR MANAGING SMOKE Weather-related predictions

USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 TOOLS FOR MANAGING SMOKE Smoke Modeling FCAMMS FireConsortiaforAdvanced Modeling of Modeling ofMeteorology and Smoke. and Smoke.

TOOLS FOR MANAGING SMOKE Smoke Modeling: V-SMOKE USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 VSMOKE: Level II model used to predict period by period particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and visibility estimates at 31 distances ( miles) /vsmoke Primary contact: –Bill Jackson

TOOLS FOR MANAGING SMOKE Smoke Modeling: V-SMOKE GIS VSMOKE-GIS: For use in flat to gently rolling terrain, and steady wind conditions /vsmoke Primary contact: –Bill Jackson USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008

TOOLS FOR MANAGING SMOKE Smoke Modeling: FL Simple Smoke Screening System USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008

Smoke Sensitive Area(SSA) An area of which, for reasons of visibility, health or human welfare, smoke could have an adverse impact FL Simple Smoke Screening System

Examples of SSAs Class 1 areas Schools Airports Assisted Living Facilities Hospital Highways Populated areas Recreation areas FL Simple Smoke Screening System

Smoke Screening System Thank you for keeping smoke to a minimum!

Step 1 - Determining Area Affected by Smoke Plume Using an administrative map, plot wind direction from planned burn for distance indicated. –5 miles for grass or backing fires –10 miles for heading fires or large burns (250 acres or larger). –30 miles for logging debris

Step 1 - Determining Area Affected by Smoke Plume (cont’d) Draw lines from each end of the fire perimeter at a 30 degree angle from the wind direction and draw arcs at a distance indicated above. This is your probable smoke impact area during the day. (If variable winds, use 45 degrees)

Step 1 - Determining Area Affected by Smoke Plume (cont’d) Go down drainage (canals/rivers) for one- half the distance determined above, but do not spread out, except to cover the valley bottom. This is your probable impact area during the night. (If active fire at night, go the same distance, do not half). –Note: If palmetto/Gallberry fuel, double distance to 10 and 20 miles for this step.

Step 2 - Identify Smoke Sensitive Areas Identify and mark any smoke-sensitive areas located within both probable impact areas plotted in step 1 –If no potential targets are found, you may burn as prescribed. –If the area to be burned contains organic soils do not burn. –If any targets are found, continue screening process.

Step 3 - Identify Critical Smoke Sensitive Areas Critical Smoke Sensitive areas are: 1.Those that already have an air pollution or visibility problem.

Step 3 - Identify Critical Smoke Sensitive Areas 2.Those within the probable smoke impact area as determined below. If the distance determined in Step 1 was: 5 miles, any smoke sensitive area within 1/2 mile is critical (DW/DD) 10 miles, any smoke sensitive area within 1 mile is critical 20 miles, any smoke sensitive area within 2 miles is critical 30 miles, any smoke sensitive area within 3 miles is critical

Step 3 - Identify Critical Smoke Sensitive Areas (cont’d) If any critical smoke sensitive areas are located, do not burn under present prescription. –Prescribe a new wind direction that will miss the critical smoke sensitive area. –If SSA is in the last half of the critical distance, reduce area to burn by 1/2 and complete burn 3 hours before sunset. –or use some alternative other than burning

Step 4 - Determine Fuel Type From the list below determine which broad type best fits your fuel. –Grass (with pine overstory) –Light brush –Pine needle litter –Palmetto-Gallberry –Windrowed logging debris –Scattered logging debris or small piles

Step 4 - Determine Fuel Type (cont’d) Review fuel categories –If the fuel type is described by one of the categories in first part of step 4, continue. –If not, pick the fuel type for which fire behavior and smoke production most nearly compare with yours and proceed with extreme caution on the first few burns.

Step 4 - Determine Fuel Type (cont’d) If fuel type is windrowed logging debris, and you have identified smoke sensitive areas, do not burn under present prescription. –Prescribe a new wind direction to avoid all smoke sensitive areas, and return to the beginning of the system. –If you cannot avoid all smoke sensitive areas, you will need a better procedure than this simple screening system.

Step 4 - Determine Fuel Type (cont’d) If the fuel type is scattered logging debris, or small clean, dry piles the following conditions should be met: –Size of the area to burn < than 100 acres –No Major highway within 5 miles –No other smoke sensitive areas within 3 miles down drainage. –If RH is predicted to stay below 80% & surface wind above 4 mph all night, the distance in 2&3 can be cut by 1/2.

Step 4 - Determine Fuel Type (cont’d) Total fuel loading should be < than 10 tons/acre. Generally the total fuel loading will be < when the age of the fuel is less than: –Grass - any age –Light brush < 7 yrs (10 if BA is < 100 Sq ft) –Loblolly w/P&G Under-story & BA < yrs –Little or no understory & BA < yrs –Slash pine W/P&G understory & BA < yrs –Little/no understory & BA yrs Note - If > 10 tons/acre, double the distance

Step 5 - Minimizing Risk If your planned burn meets all the criteria so far and you can answer yes to the following questions, you may burn as prescribed. If not, change prescription so all answers are yes or do not burn. –Is mixing height > 1700 feet –Is transport wind speed > 9mph –Is background visibility at least 5 miles.

Step 5 - Minimizing Risk (cont’d) –If fuel is older than 2 yrs, is backing fire prescribed or can burn be completed 3 hours before sunset –Can prompt mop-up and smoke hazard monitoring be achieved? –If smoke sensitive area is in trajectory of two plumes, is it at least 1 mile form either source? –At night, are winds > 4 mph, RH < 80% and is backing fire prescribed? –If there are too many stumps etc, are you taking steps to keep them from burning?

More things to consider before approving the Burn Plan: Potential for Plume Collapse? –Mass ignition (e.g. aerial ignitions) Smoke Plume Rises Above Mixing Height Potential Effects Farther Downwind/ in urban areas ( miles) What is the Contingency Plan? Will Timely Information Be Made Available ? –Notification List in Burn Plan- who will contact those who may be impacted? –Inform Public / Press of Smoke Impacts USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 BURN PLANS: SMOKE

Determine your method and frequency of weather forecasts and smoke monitoring –Daytime v. Nighttime Dispersal? –Multiple Day Burns? –Look Beyond Day/Time of Burn Are Conditions Expected to Change Overnight –Minimum: Check Daily Until Declared “Out” Define conditions to leave fire unstaffed at the end of the burn... USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management January 2008 BURN PLANS: SMOKE Before Approving the Burn Plan:

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Smoke Management Benefits The continued use of prescribed fire as a management tool Improved air quality through fewer smoke intrusions Fewer public complaints Reduction of litigation and liability costs