A recent JSTOR Daily article addresses issues related to air quality policies for prescribed fire and wildfire smoke.
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Smoke Management Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region
The Southern Fire Exchange, University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina State University, and the Southern Regional Extension Forestry collaboratively produced a new full-color 50 page guidebook for smoke management in the South. Intended for private landowners, the 2020 Smoke Management Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region will also be useful for students, extension agents, NRCS agents, prescribed burn associations, and prescribed burners looking to increase their smoke management knowledge. At this point, the guidebook is only available in digital (pdf) format.
Continue ReadingSmoke Management, Air Quality, and Weather
Techniques and tools to understand, predict and manage smoke and air quality.
Southern Fire Exchange Archived Webinars
Climate-Driven Changes in Prescribed Fire in the Southeastern US: Burner Concerns, Needs, and Alternatives (2023)
Presenter: Megan Johnson, USDA Forest Service.
This webinar discussed research investigating the potential impacts of climate change on prescribed burner decisions, wildfire occurrence, and prescribed burn opportunities in the South.
Click here to view the archived webinar
Potential Impacts of Prescribed Fire Smoke on Air Quality, Public Health, and Vulnerable Populations in the Southeast (2021)
Presenters: Sadia Afrin and Fernando Garcia-Menendez, North Carolina State University.
This webinar discussed research investigating the potential impacts of prescribed fire smoke and avoided wildfire smoke on communities, including socially vulnerable communities in the Southeastern US.
Click here to view the archived webinar
Air Quality 101: Essential Concepts and Tools for Prescribed Burners (2020)
Presenters: Rick Gillam, Heidi LeSane and Scott Davis of the US Environmental Protection Agency-Region 4, Dr. Jim Boylan of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Randy Strait of the North Carolina Division of Air Quality and Jenn Fawcett of North Carolina State University Extension.
This webinar provided an introduction to the fundamental concepts and tools for understanding the who, what, why and how for managing prescribed fire smoke in the Southeast. Speakers from regional air quality regulation programs discussed topics including: smoke production, smoke prediction, regional regulations, health impacts and more.
Click here to view the archived webinar
Webinar Presentation Files (pdf):
Scott Davis
Rick Gillam and Hedi LeSane
Jim Boylan, Ph.D.
Randy Strait
Jenn Fawcett
Air Quality 101 for Foresters and Prescribed Burners (2017)
Presenters: Steve Scofield, Heidi LeSane and Scott Davis of the US Environmental Protection Agency-Region 4
Jim Boylan, Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Randy Strait, North Carolina Division of Air Quality
This webinar covered topics such as National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Ozone, Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Nonattainment areas in the Southeast, Regional Haze and more.
Click here to view the archived webinar
An Introduction to VSmoke Web
Scott Goodrick, US Forest Service Research Meteorologist, introduces the use and application of the VSmoke smoke model.
Click here to view the archived webinar
Basic Smoke Management Practices
Pete Lahm, US Forest Service Fire Weather and Air Quality Specialist, discussed the development and principles of Basic Smoke Management Practices for prescribed burners.
Click here to view the archived webinar
El Nino, La Nina and the 1998 Florida Wildfire Season
Dr. Scott Goodrick, Research Meteorologist discussed the past and future implications of El Nino and La Nina events on fire weather patterns and wildfire occurences in Florida and the Southeast.
Click here to view the archived webinar
Integrated Smoke Management Curriculum
Jennifer Evans, NC State University Prescribed Fire Extension Assistant, discusses a train-the-trainer smoke management curriculum for teaching prescribed burners about smoke management.
Click here to view the archived webinar
Methods for Determining Mixing Height
Host: Southern Fire Exchange, NWCG Smoke Committee, North Carolina State University, Desert Research Institute, National Weather Service, and Montgomery Community College.
This webinar features researcher Matthew Fearon of the Desert Research Institute discussing recent research investigating various methods for estimating atmospheric mixing height. Following his presentation Robyn Heffernan with the National Weather Service discussed NWS plans for their mixing height determination procedures.
Click here to view the archived webinar
NWS Fire Weather Resources for the South
This one-hour webinar by Angie Enyedi, Lead Forecaster with the Jacksonville, Florida office of the National Weather Service explored numerous fire weather forecast products and tools developed by the Florida NWS. Angie specifically discussed topics related to Spot weather forecasts, meteograms, and dispersion indices.
Click here to view the archived webinar
Smoke Management: It Is The Name of The Game
In this webinar Dale Wade discusses many topics related to smoke management and planning during prescribed fire operations in southern ecosystems.
Click here to view the archived webinar
Using Smoke Prediction Models for Prescribed Burning Planning
Host: Southern Fire Exchange and Forestry & Natural Resources Webinar Portal
Daniel Stratton, USDA Forest Service, introduces the major characteristics of emission and smoke models such as the Fire Emission Production Simulator (FEPS), HYSPLIT, BlueSky, and VSmoke.
Click here to view the archived webinar
WindNinja – Modeling Winds in Complex Terrain for Wildland Fire Applications
In this webinar Dr. Natalie Wagenbrenner of the USFS Missoula Fire Science Lab described the fundamentals and workings of WindNinja and demonstrated how WindNinja can be used to create high spatial resolution near-surface wind forecasts.
Click here to view the archived webinar
Wildland Fire Smoke and Roadway Visibility Series
For the last 40 years smoke events have beset fire management and field personnel. Incidents have occurred across the country. This webinar is an effort to eliminate the risk through:
- Enhancing our knowledge base
- Informing wildland fire personnel on the tools available
- Assisting wildland fire personnel in their cognitive awareness of smoke’s risk
- Predictability of smoke events whereby timely actions can be taken before severely reduced visibility occurs
- Click here for more information about the series, and how to view each archived webinar.
Part 1: Superfog
1:00 pm Eastern
Presented by: Gary Achtemeier, former Research Meteorologist USFS Southern Research Station – Retired
- What is Superfog and how it forms on your burn site
- How common is Superfog on burn sites
- Superfog weather: What conditions allow superfog to leave your burn site and how far will it go
- Superfog weather: Identifying conditions that turn a typical safe burn into a disaster
- Click here to view the archived webinar.
Part 2: Weather Information & Tools
Presented by: Gary M. Curcio, former Fire Environment Branch Head NC Forest Service – Retired
- Obtaining and tracking key environmental variables
- Reviewing operationally developed indexes (Turner Stability Index (TS), Atmospheric Dispersion Index (ADI), Low Visibility Occurrence Risk Index (LVORI)
- Superfog Matrix Smart Tool for NWS Weather Forecasting Offices
- Click here to view the archived webinar.
Part 3: PB – Piedmont, Superfog Potential and Estimated Smoldering Potential
1:00 pm Eastern
Presented by: Matthew Fearon, research meteorologist –Dessert Research Institute
- PB-Piedmont Web, Super-Fog Potential, and Estimated Smoldering Potential – moving science to a usable tool.
- Click here to view the archived webinar.
Other useful archived webinars on this subject
Indoor Air Quality During Wildland Fires
The NWCG Smoke Committee (SmoC) recently hosted this webinar which included two presentations—“Coping with Indoor Wildfire Smoke: Lessons from the Colville Reservation” (Kris Ray, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation) and “Wildfires and Prescribed Burns in Colorado: Impact on Indoor Air Quality, and the Effect of Mitigation Measures” (Shelly Miller, University of Colorado).
Click here for links to related publications.
Click here to view the recorded webinar.
Making Sense of Wildland Smoke
Host: Lake States Fire Science Consortium
This webinar, presented by Gary Curcio, Kari Fleegel, and Warren Heilman, highlights a range of current perspectives, activities, developments, and emerging issues concerning smoke from wildland fires.
Click here to view the recorded webinar.
On the Causes and Movement of Smoke-Induced Fog
Host: LLC-JFSP-IAWF
Gary L. Achtemeier presents information about predicting the occurrence and transport of smoke-induced dense fog (superfog), which has been implicated in roadway accidents around the nation. The webinar summarizes 20 years of collaboration between land managers in the southeastern U.S. and the USFS Smoke Management Team located at Athens, Georgia.
Click here to view the recorded webinar.
Validation of Fuel Consumption Models for Smoke Management Planning in the Eastern United States
Host: LLC-JFSP-IAWF
Roger Ottmar and Susan Prichard present fuel consumption data collected from 18 prescribed fires in southern pine forest and sand pine scrub fuelbed types in the Southeastern United States, and from 11 mixed hardwoods and pitch pine fuelbed types in Northeast and North Central states.
Click here to view the recorded webinar.
Basic Smoke Management Practices (BSMPs) and Tools
Introduction
Basic Smoke Management Practices (BSMPs) are important for prescribed burners to consider when planning and implementing prescribed fires and following BSMPs may help the land management community to maintain prescribed fire as a socially-accepted practice. On this page, we have assembled a collection of resources that explain BSMPs and may be helpful for prescribed burners in implementing BSMPs on their lands. Do you have resources that we should include on this page? If so, please let us know ([email protected]).
BSMPs are intended to be supplemental practices for minimizing the impacts of prescribed fire smoke on communities and regional air quality. It is important to understand that following BSMPs does not supersede local, regional, or state air quality rules or regulations. Prescribed burners should use basic smoke management practices for several important reasons, including:
- Health and Safety: Managing smoke reduces the potential health risks associated with poor air quality. Smoke from prescribed burns contains particulate matter and other pollutants that may exacerbate respiratory issues and cause discomfort for nearby communities. By implementing basic smoke management practices, burners can minimize these risks and protect public health.
- Minimize Negative Impacts: Smoke can have adverse effects on visibility, transportation, and outdoor activities in nearby areas. Basic smoke management practices help minimize these negative impacts by dispersing smoke more effectively and reducing its duration and intensity.
- Preserve Public Acceptance: Prescribed burning is an essential tool for land management and ecosystem health. However, negative experiences with smoke can lead to public opposition and reluctance to support future prescribed burning efforts. By managing smoke effectively, burners can maintain positive relationships with local communities and stakeholders, fostering understanding and support for prescribed burning activities.
- Enhance Effectiveness: Proper smoke management can improve the overall effectiveness of prescribed burns. By controlling smoke dispersion, burners can achieve their desired burn objectives more efficiently, whether it’s reducing fuel loads, promoting ecosystem health, and improving wildlife habitat.
By implementing these basic smoke management practices, prescribed fire practitioners can minimize the impact of smoke on air quality and public health while still achieving land management objectives. For more information about the health effects of smoke and tools for helping communities prepare for wildland smoke, check out AirNow.gov/wildfires.
BSMP Fundamentals
NRCS Basic Smoke Management Practices for Prescribed Burning Fact Sheet
This is the USDA Forest Service and NRCS document that started it all. The NRCS Basic Smoke Management Practices fact sheet introduces the six BSMPs, and explains why and how prescribed burners should use BSMPs. Direct Link (pdf). We also have a recorded webinar presentation that dives into each of the BSMPs.
SFE Basic Smoke Management Practices for Prescribed Burning Fact Sheet
The SFE team developed this two-page document to supplement the information contained within the NRCS fact sheet mentioned above. The SFE fact sheet includes links to weather and smoke modeling tools that can support smoke management planning. Direct Link (pdf)
Smoke Management Planning Tools
USDA Forest Service and EPA Fire and Smoke Map
The USFS / EPA Fire and Smoke Map is a one-stop-shop for viewing regional air quality trends, smoke movement, satellite fire detections, and air monitoring stations. Importantly, the Fire and Smoke Map shows both permanent air quality monitors (i.e. state monitoring stations) and personal low-cost air quality sensors (i.e. Purple Air). Knowing the location of these monitoring stations and sensors can be helpful information for prescribed burners. We have a SFE webinar that explains everything you need to know about the Fire and Smoke Map. Check out the webinar here (SFE Webinar: A Prescribed Burners Guide to the Fire and Smoke Map).
Georgia DNR Winds and Air Quality Map
Georgia DNR Winds and Air Quality Monitors Map – This map provides an easy way to view air quality monitor locations, current PM 2.5 AQI levels, and surface wind observations.
Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management Tools
The Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management Tools provide Kansas-specific resources for predicting potential prescribed fire smoke impacts to counties across and adjacent to Kansas. The website provides a county-by-county visual indication of potential smoke impacts as well as forecast discussions of smoke impacts and burning conditions.
Simple Smoke Screening Tool
The Simple Smoke Screening Tool (hosted by the Florida Forest Service) is a browser-based tool for plotting on an interactive map potential smoke movement and concentration. This tool does not incorporate dynamic (changing) weather or ignition techniques, but it provides a simple and easy-to-interpret method for smoke planning. If you have never tried smoke modeling before, this is probably the best place to start.
VSmoke-Web
The VSmoke-Web online smoke modeling tool is hosted by the Georgia Forestry Commission. If you are familiar with the Simple Smoke Screening Tool, VSmoke-Web offers more advanced smoke modeling options and outputs. The Southwest Georgia Prescribed Burn Association and the Southern Fire Exchange each have online presentations that explain how to use VSmoke-Web.
BlueSky Playground
The USDA Forest Service BlueSky Playground is a browser-based interface for advanced emissions and smoke modeling for prescribed fires and wildfires. BlueSky includes tools for defining burn units, estimating emissions, and predicting smoke movement and concentration. BlueSky allows users to run VSmoke-Web smoke models and HYSPLIT for defined fires. Prior to using the BlueSky Playground in a planning or operational context, you will want to review the BlueSky Documentation.
Smoke Management Educational Resources
NWCG Smoke Committee
The NWCG Smoke Committee Portal is an extensive resource for learning about smoke, air quality, and smoke management.
Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire (PM-420-3)
The NWCG Smoke Management for Prescribed Fire (PM-420-3) is the nearly 300-page national standard resource for understanding smoke management and planning. Direct Link (pdf)
Smoke Management Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region
This 2020 publication was developed through a collaboration among the EPA, NC State University, Southern Fire Exchange, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, and the University of Georgia. A full-color guidebook, it includes a wide range of information about smoke production, composition, and planning. Direct Link (pdf)
Webinar Recording: A Prescribed Burners Guide to the Fire and Smoke Map
The recording of the recent SFE webinar “A Prescribed Burners Guide to the Fire and Smoke Map” is now available on the SFE YouTube Channel. The webinar featured an interactive demonstration of the USFS / EPA Fire and Smoke Map along with a discussion of how prescribed burners can utilize the map for smoke management.
During the webinar, we shared many links and resources with participants. You can find those links below and on the YouTube Description.
- AirNow.Gov https://www.airnow.gov
- AirNow.Gov Wildfires https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/
- Fire and Smoke Map: https://fire.airnow.gov/
- 2020 National Emissions Inventory Technical Support Document: Fires https://www.epa.gov/system/files/docu…
- NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire: https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/420-2
- Smoke Management Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region: https://southernfireexchange.org/smok…
- Basic Smoke Management Practices: https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/refere…
- Basic Smoke Management Practices (SFE Fact Sheet): https://eadn-wc02-7111601.nxedge.io/w…
- Where there’s fire, there’s smoke: Air quality and prescribed burning in Florida (UF/IFAS Fact Sheet): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication…
National Extension Wildland Fire Initiative Web Meeting: Smoke and Air Quality
The next National Extension Wildland Fire Initiative quarterly meeting (hosted by the Association for Natural Resources Extension Professionals) on August 15th at 3PM ET (Zoom) will focus on topics related to smoke and air quality. David Godwin, Ph.D., Eytan Krasilovsky, and Jess Downing will talk about DIY air filters, air cleaner loaner programs, and opportunities to engage communities on smoke related topics. If you work in Cooperative Extension or similar community outreach join the meeting and find out more about NEWFI and their quarterly meetings.
Continue ReadingUSFS and EPA Fire and Smoke Map
Are you getting questions about smoke and poor air quality this summer? Are you looking for a national map of modeled smoke plumes and observed air quality conditions? The Fire and Smoke Map is your go-to resource to address those questions. Be sure to add the website to your list of favorites so that you can find it next time things get smoky or you’re thinking about burning.
Continue ReadingEPA Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Grant Program
Please see the below announcement from the EPA regarding an upcoming grant funding opportunity.
We (EPA) are writing to ask for your help to spread the word that the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program is now open for applications through May 9th. We hope that you can help us reach eligible entities through your network and encourage them to apply for this funding opportunity.
This program provides grants and cooperative agreements to States, federally recognized Tribes, public pre-schools, local educational agencies, and non-profit organizations for the assessment, prevention, control, and/or abatement of wildfire smoke hazards in community buildings and related activities. The total estimated funding available for awards is $10,670,000. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 13-18 grants, ranging from $100,000 to $2,000,000. Funded assistance agreements will have up to 3-year periods of performance. See our webpage for additional details about the program.
EPA will host an information session webinar for potential applicants on April 10th at 3:00 – 4:00pm Eastern. During the webinar, EPA will provide an overview of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and the application process. Register here.
Questions about the application process can also be submitted to [email protected] through April 27th.
Please share information about this opportunity widely. These materials may be helpful to adapt as appropriate for your stakeholders:
- NOFO on Grants.gov
- EPA webpages:
- Attached GovDelivery message announcing the NOFO.
- We expect that the EPAair Twitter account will post about this opportunity over the coming weeks.
We will share additional messages and information as they become available.
Please feel free to reach out to Alison Savage and Sharon White with any questions. Thank you in advance for helping get the word out about this funding opportunity!
Continue ReadingAmerican Lung Association Report on Prescribed Fire and Wildfire Smoke
The American Lung Association recently released a report that assessed the impacts of wildfire and prescribed fire smoke on the American public. In general, the report found that prescribed fire has an important role in mitigating wildfires and hazardous wildfire smoke. The report also clarified that prescribed fire smoke is a hazardous substance (although likely not as hazardous as wildfire smoke) and that steps are needed to minimize the impacts of prescribed fire smoke on vulnerable individuals and communities.
Download the report (pdf) and the shorter executive summary (pdf) for more information. You can also watch a presentation by the report authors on YouTube or embedded below.
Continue ReadingWhere There’s Fire, There’s Smoke: Air Quality and Prescribed Burning in Florida
SFE staff recently rewrote a University of Florida / IFAS EDIS fact sheet titled “Where there’s fire, there’s smoke: Air quality and prescribed burning in Florida.” The fact sheet provides research-based information on the composition, movement, and impacts of prescribed fire smoke. For prescribed burners, the fact sheet also provides tips and resources for managing smoke responsibly.
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