Smoke Management Tracking Tools. Deborah Hanley, PhD Meteorologist, Division of Forestry

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1 Smoke Management Tracking Tools Deborah Hanley, PhD Meteorologist, Division of Forestry

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3 Smoke Management A plan of action where prescribed burning is conducted in such a way that smoke produced is minimized or directed in a direction that keeps any impacts within acceptable limits.

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

5 Class 1 areas Non-attainment area Hospital Highways Populated areas Recreation areas Examples of SSA s

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7 Smoke Management Costs 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

8 Laws State - Division of Forestry Can restrict if conditions unfavorable for fire or smoke 9:00 A.M. to 1 hour before sunset Other times (Dispersion Index) Local Restrictions

9 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

10 Smoke Management Basics Use up-to to-date maps or aerial photos Locate all SSA s s within 30 miles Note if any of these SSA s s are prone to fog Locate all areas within intended burn that contain muck, peat, or large amounts of duff. Use Rx fire under favorable wx conditions with the appropriate firing technique to prevent your fire from causing health or safety hazards.

11 When a SSA may be Impacted: Burn only when wind will carry smoke away from the SSA. Use firing technique that will reduce smoke amounts to a minimum Burn when fuel condition will facilitate good burning and not adversely impact the identified SSA.

12 Pollutants The most important pollutants given off during a wildland fire are particulate matter (visible smoke) and carbon monoxide.

13 Particulate Matter Particulates can be hazardous to human health and safety by: Being inhaled reducing visibility

14 Florida Division of Forestry Crashes Smoke and Fog 14 Smoke (# Accidents) Fog (# of Accidents) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month Smoke Fog 0

15 Accidents in Florida by Hour of the Day Smoke Related :00 pm 10:00 pm 11:00 pm 12:00 am 1:00 am 2:00 am 3:00 am 4:00 am 5:00 am 6:00 am 7:00 am 8:00 am 9:00 am 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 pm # Smoke Related Accidents Smoke Accidents

16 Accidents in Florida by Hour of the Day Smoke Related # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # 12:00 am 1:00 am 2:00 am 3:00 am 4:00 am 5:00 am 6:00 am 7:00 am 8:00 am 9:00 am 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 pm 9:00 pm 10:00 pm 11:00 pm # Smoke Related Accidents Total # of Accidents (x 1000) Smoke Accidents All Accidents #

17 Basic Objectives of Smoke Management Identify and avoid smoke sensitive areas Disperse and dilute smoke Reduce emissions

18 MM5 MM5 is used to run the smoke screening tool which also uses HYSPLIT to predict the areas where surface visibility may be reduced to less than 1000 feet on the ground due to a prescribed fire. The plume is used to make decisions on issuing burning authorizations and the impacts on smoke sensitive features.

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23 Smoke Screening Tool

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25 Future Needs and Wants Higher resolution model (WRF or MM5) to support on-site weather support activities. Longer forecast period. Better smoke program, possibly with 3-d 3 plume information.

26 Questions?