1. FIRE EFFECTS MONITORING LESSON 4 SMOKE OBSERVATIONS

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

3. 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

4. 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?

5. 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

6. Smoke Color: Darker colors = heavier fuels Smoke Characteristics

7. Smoke dispersal direction indicates wind direction Smoke Characteristics

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

9. Fire driven by an upslope wind Smoke Characteristics

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

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

12. Smoke rising straight up indicates an unstable atmosphere. Smoke Characteristics

13. Inversions indicate a stable atmosphere.

14. Fire behavior increases when inversions lift. Smoke Characteristics

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

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

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

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

19. Rotating columns indicate unpredictable fire behavior. Smoke Characteristics

20. Indians Fire: June 11, 2008

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

22. Zaca Fire: August 14, 2007

23. Communicate critical changes! Smoke Characteristics

24. 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:

25. Air Quality Fuel consumed determines smoke production.

26. Smoke and Public Health Air Quality

27. Smoke and Firefighter Health Air Quality

28. Visibility and Fire Aviation Air Quality

29. Visibility and Traffic Safety Air Quality

30. Visibility and Scenic Values Air Quality

31. Class I Airsheds Air Quality

32. Tourism Air Quality

33. Smoke Sensitive Areas Air Quality

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

36. Smoke and Air Quality Observations Air Quality

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

38.  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