PNW Interagency Burn PNW Interagency Burn Boss Boss Refresher Refresher Workshop Workshop

Smoke Management Smoke Management

Jim RussellJim Russell

State Office/Regional Office State Office/Regional Office

Air and Smoke Program ManagerAir and Smoke Program Manager

503.808.2956503.808.2956

jrussell01@fs.fed.usjrussell01@fs.fed.us

Deschutes County Expo CenterDeschutes County Expo Center

Redmond, OregonRedmond, Oregon

February 24-25, 2009February 24-25, 2009

Outline of Outline of Topics/Questions Topics/Questions to to Be CoveredBe Covered Introduction - Basic Primer to Smoke and Air Resource Management Introduction - Basic Primer to Smoke and Air Resource Management

Your Report Card for 2008 – How you did.Your Report Card for 2008 – How you did. Update of the Web-based (Update of the Web-based (FASTRACFASTRAC) Linked Smoke Reporting System) Linked Smoke Reporting System

Health and Safety Consideration - Do we need personal protective equipment for Health and Safety Consideration - Do we need personal protective equipment for smokesmoke

Non-attainment area designation – what does it mean to you?Non-attainment area designation – what does it mean to you? Smoke Considerations Under the Revised Federal Fire PolicySmoke Considerations Under the Revised Federal Fire Policy

Communication Strategy with our Air Regulatory Agencies -Can we agree on a list of Communication Strategy with our Air Regulatory Agencies -Can we agree on a list of factual statements?factual statements?

What else?What else?

AIR QUALITY Definition of TermsAIR QUALITY Definition of TermsBasic PrimerBasic Primer

Air pollutionAir pollution : presence in the atmosphere of a substance or : presence in the atmosphere of a substance or substances added directly or indirectly by a human act, in such substances added directly or indirectly by a human act, in such amounts as to adversely affect humans, animals, vegetation, human amounts as to adversely affect humans, animals, vegetation, human enjoyment, or cultural preservation enjoyment, or cultural preservation

Federal Clean Air ActFederal Clean Air Act is a legal mandate designed to protect is a legal mandate designed to protect human health and welfare from air pollution.human health and welfare from air pollution.

Air pollutants: Two categories(Air pollutants: Two categories(primary and secondary) primary and secondary) Primary Primary pollutantspollutants are those directly emitted into the air established to are those directly emitted into the air established to protect human health. Sprotect human health. Secondary pollutants are econdary pollutants are primary primary pollutants that undergo chemical reactions within the atmosphere pollutants that undergo chemical reactions within the atmosphere and produce new substances that are described to protect human and produce new substances that are described to protect human welfare.welfare.

State Implementation Plans (SIP's)State Implementation Plans (SIP's) are developed to control are developed to control

primary and secondary pollutants. States can be more restrictive primary and secondary pollutants. States can be more restrictive but not less. Except in California during the Bush Administration. but not less. Except in California during the Bush Administration.

National Ambient Air National Ambient Air Quality Standards Quality Standards (NAAQS)(NAAQS)

Criteria Pollutants defined in the Clean Air ActCriteria Pollutants defined in the Clean Air Act as levels of pollutant above which as levels of pollutant above which detrimental effects on human health or welfare. The standards are expressed in different detrimental effects on human health or welfare. The standards are expressed in different averaging times, for example, annual, 24-hour, and 3-hour. averaging times, for example, annual, 24-hour, and 3-hour.

Particulate matter (PM2.5)Particulate matter (PM2.5) Sulfur dioxide (SO2)Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Ozone, Ozone, Carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide LeadLead

Forest Service’s activities primarily that contributes to criteria pollutants is the Forest Service’s activities primarily that contributes to criteria pollutants is the use of Prescribed Fire use of Prescribed Fire

PM 2.5 PM 2.5 Carbon monoxide, Carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides (NOx), nitrous oxides (NOx), Volatile organic compounds (VOC's) Volatile organic compounds (VOC's) NOx and VOC's can react with sunlight to form the secondary pollutant NOx and VOC's can react with sunlight to form the secondary pollutant ozoneozone. .

PM2.5PM2.5

Fine Particulates either alone or in combination with other pollutants, can Fine Particulates either alone or in combination with other pollutants, can constitute a public and fire fighter health hazard. constitute a public and fire fighter health hazard.

1. Fine particulates enter the body mainly via the respiratory system. Fine 1. Fine particulates enter the body mainly via the respiratory system. Fine particulate matter may exert a toxic effect on the body.particulate matter may exert a toxic effect on the body.

2. Toxicity of the particles because of its chemical or physical characteristics2. Toxicity of the particles because of its chemical or physical characteristics

3. 70-90% of smoke from wildland fire is PM2.53. 70-90% of smoke from wildland fire is PM2.5

4. The particle may interfere with one or more of the mechanisms which 4. The particle may interfere with one or more of the mechanisms which normally clear the respiratory tract.normally clear the respiratory tract.

4. Medical studies have shown a solid relationship between increases in 4. Medical studies have shown a solid relationship between increases in particulate concentrations and rises in the number of clinic and hospital visits particulate concentrations and rises in the number of clinic and hospital visits for upper respiratory infections, cardiac diseases, bronchitis, asthma, for upper respiratory infections, cardiac diseases, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, and emphysema. pneumonia, and emphysema.

Carbon monoxide (CO)Carbon monoxide (CO)This pollutant is a poisonous inhalant that deprives the body tissues of necessary oxygen and This pollutant is a poisonous inhalant that deprives the body tissues of necessary oxygen and replaces it with CO replaces it with CO

1. Extreme exposure (>750 ppm) can cause death.1. Extreme exposure (>750 ppm) can cause death.

2. Impaired time-interval discrimination can occur when humans are exposed to concentrations as 2. Impaired time-interval discrimination can occur when humans are exposed to concentrations as low as 10 to 15 ppm for 8 hours.low as 10 to 15 ppm for 8 hours.

3.CO exposure can also result in central nervous system effects such as impairment of visual acuity, 3.CO exposure can also result in central nervous system effects such as impairment of visual acuity,

brightness discrimination, and psychomotor functions. brightness discrimination, and psychomotor functions.

4.Symptoms include headache, fatigue, and drowsiness.4.Symptoms include headache, fatigue, and drowsiness.

5. CO exposure from wildfires and prescribed fire sources can be significant for fireline workers, 5. CO exposure from wildfires and prescribed fire sources can be significant for fireline workers, but CO dilutes very rapidly in the atmosphere and probably is not a concern even a short distance but CO dilutes very rapidly in the atmosphere and probably is not a concern even a short distance downwind.downwind.

6.One study measured CO concentrations as high as 200 ppm close to flames but observed that the 6.One study measured CO concentrations as high as 200 ppm close to flames but observed that the concentration was reduced to less than 10 ppm just 100 feet from the fire. Meteorological and concentration was reduced to less than 10 ppm just 100 feet from the fire. Meteorological and topograhic features can trap and increase concentration of CO.topograhic features can trap and increase concentration of CO.

Oregon Smoke Intrusions Oregon Smoke Intrusions for 2008/2009for 2008/2009

No. Date Location Landowner Length (hrs) IntensityNo. Date Location Landowner Length (hrs) Intensity

1 4/17 Medford AQMA BLM 2.5 Light1 4/17 Medford AQMA BLM 2.5 Light

2 5/5 Medford BLM .5 Light2 5/5 Medford BLM .5 Light

3 5/9 Medford BLM 3.5 Light3 5/9 Medford BLM 3.5 Light

4 6/16 Cottage Grove Private 3.5 Heavy4 6/16 Cottage Grove Private 3.5 Heavy

5 10/18 Lakeview USFS 3.5 Moderate5 10/18 Lakeview USFS 3.5 Moderate

6 10/28 Mid Will Valley Private 8 Heavy6 10/28 Mid Will Valley Private 8 Heavy

7 10/30 Newport Private 3 Moderate7 10/30 Newport Private 3 Moderate

So far there have been no intrusions for 2009.So far there have been no intrusions for 2009.

Washington Smoke Washington Smoke Management Plan Management Plan No specific instrusions reported under the No specific instrusions reported under the

SMPSMP Issues associated with coordination of Issues associated with coordination of

burning (Federal, Tribal, and Private) and burning (Federal, Tribal, and Private) and curtailment of burning have occurred in the curtailment of burning have occurred in the Yakama Valley Yakama Valley

Issues with the decision to apply Air Issues with the decision to apply Air Stagnation Burn Bans at the County Level Stagnation Burn Bans at the County Level needs to be Reviewedneeds to be Reviewed

Smoke Management for this year function at Smoke Management for this year function at a successful level (Wash. Dept. of Ecology a successful level (Wash. Dept. of Ecology Meterologist)Meterologist)

Update of the web-based (FASTRAC) Linked Smoke Update of the web-based (FASTRAC) Linked Smoke Reporting SystemReporting System

Web-based system does less error capturing than state system. Check entries carefully.Web-based system does less error capturing than state system. Check entries carefully.

Only register the acres you plan to blacken in OregonOnly register the acres you plan to blacken in Oregon

Fees are only collected for treatment on Forested Land and not rangelandFees are only collected for treatment on Forested Land and not rangeland

RegisterRegister at least a week ahead. at least a week ahead. PlanPlan the afternoon prior to burning. the afternoon prior to burning. ReportReport results the business results the business day after burning.day after burning.

Change from two servers to one, and from two distinct code bases to a more singular one. This Change from two servers to one, and from two distinct code bases to a more singular one. This increases reliability, shortens programmer hours, and simplifies our lives as administrators of the increases reliability, shortens programmer hours, and simplifies our lives as administrators of the system. system.

All of those efficiencies mean less duplicate data entries and generally a better time for the users. All of those efficiencies mean less duplicate data entries and generally a better time for the users.

Plan to attend the breakout sessions to get answers to your questions from our crack IT Group of Plan to attend the breakout sessions to get answers to your questions from our crack IT Group of Dale Guenther and Jim Edmonds.Dale Guenther and Jim Edmonds.

Washington Smoke Management Washington Smoke Management Reporting SystemReporting System

Smoke Main Menu

Permit(Planned

Units)Request

Post-Burn

Oregon Web-based Link (FASTRAC)

Health and Safety Consideration - Personal Monitoring Equipment for Prescribed Fire

1. Passive CO Monitors to detect hourly/daily 1. Passive CO Monitors to detect hourly/daily exposureexposure

2 Respirators 2 Respirators

3. Fixed nephelometers 3. Fixed nephelometers

CO Monitoring

San Dimas/MTDC are testing several brands of personal CO for use on the fireline and in fire camp. Some of the evaluation criteria include:– Cost– Calibration– Durability– Battery life– Data storage– Weight and size

Currently testing CO monitors on prescribed fires in the southern United States

CO monitoring may be recommended for fire camps and on firelines CO monitors may become available at the fire cache

Respirators (NFPA Task Order)

Team convened at request of NFPA to design requirements for a wildfire fighter respirator. Design considerations included:

– Weight– Durability– Heat resistance– Visibility– Communication– Hazards to remove– Airflow– Cost– Protective case– Filter types– Testing procedures

Draft wildland fire respirator specification document has been completed and is out for review.

Specification document will be submitted to private industry for development

Smoke Exposure Management Tacticson Prescribed Fire

High moisture content of the large fuel and duff

Reduce aggressive mop-up Fireline location, barriers Lighting techniques Sprinklers/foam Rotate crews Monitor Training Improve nutrition/

health habits

Smoke Exposure -Implement:• Awareness training• CO monitoring protocols• Health surveillance/improved record

keeping• Risk management strategies

Research:• Crystalline silica assessment• Exposure in other geographic areas • Long term health risk assessment• Fire camp exposure• NFPA

Where do we go from here?

2008 Proposed PM 2.5 Non Attainment Areas 2008 Proposed PM 2.5 Non Attainment Areas (Current and Future)(Current and Future)

Non-Attainment is due to woodstove smoke during the heating Non-Attainment is due to woodstove smoke during the heating season. Contributions from other open burning can cause an season. Contributions from other open burning can cause an exceedance of the annual standard that would force the state to exceedance of the annual standard that would force the state to look for higher mitigation for prescribed fire smoke. look for higher mitigation for prescribed fire smoke.

Current:Current:– OakridgeOakridge– Klamath FallsKlamath Falls

Future:Future:– BurnsBurns– LakeviewLakeview

Maybe:Maybe:– John DayJohn Day– Baker CityBaker City– Redmond, Sisters, Prineville, and La Pine?Redmond, Sisters, Prineville, and La Pine?

Smoke Considerations Under the Revised Federal Fire Policy Smoke Considerations Under the Revised Federal Fire Policy

Two Kinds of Fire – Unplanned Wildfire and Planned Prescribed Two Kinds of Fire – Unplanned Wildfire and Planned Prescribed Fire Fire

Two strategies can be applied to an individual Wildfire Two strategies can be applied to an individual Wildfire Questions on how to apply smoke management to a portion of the Questions on how to apply smoke management to a portion of the

unplanned ignition managed for resource benefits.unplanned ignition managed for resource benefits. Each such ignition requires a FUMA be assigned by the ICT. Do Each such ignition requires a FUMA be assigned by the ICT. Do

have have enough FUMA’s to meet the needs this season. We have have enough FUMA’s to meet the needs this season. We currently don’t have any air resource/smoke management positions currently don’t have any air resource/smoke management positions identified within the hierarchy. identified within the hierarchy.

Smoke and the Federal Fire Policy Smoke and the Federal Fire Policy (Cont.)(Cont.)

How comfortable our the state air regulators in our ability How comfortable our the state air regulators in our ability operate under the new policy and what are the reason for this operate under the new policy and what are the reason for this change. Who should communicate with the states, both change. Who should communicate with the states, both operational and smoke management strategy.operational and smoke management strategy.

Key as always is timely communications with our state Key as always is timely communications with our state partners.partners.

So do we (prescribed fire managers/smoke managers) have a So do we (prescribed fire managers/smoke managers) have a role in managing fires under the Resided Federal Fire Policy.role in managing fires under the Resided Federal Fire Policy.

We don’t what will be the role of the people in this room. We don’t what will be the role of the people in this room.

Communication Strategy with our Air Regulatory Communication Strategy with our Air Regulatory AgenciesAgencies

Can we agree on a list of factual statements?Can we agree on a list of factual statements?

Smoke is bad for human health – prescribed or wildfireSmoke is bad for human health – prescribed or wildfire

Public agencies have a responsibility to reduce smoke impacts from all types of firePublic agencies have a responsibility to reduce smoke impacts from all types of fire

The PNW smoke management plans are continuously reviewed for improvementThe PNW smoke management plans are continuously reviewed for improvement

Wildfire is rarely managed (for smoke)Wildfire is rarely managed (for smoke)

Wildfires result in far more serious smoke episodes than do prescribed fireWildfires result in far more serious smoke episodes than do prescribed fire

Vegetation treatment can reduce wildfire smoke productionVegetation treatment can reduce wildfire smoke production

Human health and safety are higher priority than Forest HealthHuman health and safety are higher priority than Forest Health

Increased participation by air regulators in management of wildfire smoke is needed Increased participation by air regulators in management of wildfire smoke is needed

(Ken Snell - Director F&AM Pacific Northwest Region) (Ken Snell - Director F&AM Pacific Northwest Region)