Smoke Management during Prescribed Burns

Intermediate Prescribed Fire CourseIntermediate Prescribed Fire Course

Objectives:Objectives:1. Define smoke management and Identify

three reasons it is important when planning and conducting a prescribed fire.

2. Indentify two ways smoke poses a hazard to fire crews.

3. Identify priniciple smoke management strategies and tactics available to the burn boss.

What is Smoke Management?

Conducting a prescribed fire using– Fuel conditions – Fire behavior– Weather conditions

that keep smoke’s impact on the environment within acceptable limits.

Smoke management: Why is it important?Why is it important?

Maintain visibility on roads and highways

Traffic accident in Florida, USA was caused by smoke from a prescribed fire mixed with fog. 2008.

Smoke management: Why is it important?Why is it important?

Public Health and welfare

Smoke management: Why is it important?Why is it important?

Crew Health and safety

What is Smoke Management?

Conducting a prescribed fire using– Fuel conditions – Fire behavior– Weather conditions

that keep smoke’s impact on the environment within acceptable limits.

Roads- Smoke Sensitive targets- Crews

Smoke- It in you, You in it

Prescribed fire smoke hazards– Toxins in smoke enter your lungs– Particles in smoke irritate eyes and lungs– Deadly carbon monoxide

Smoke on roads and fire lanes– Vehicle collisions– Vehicle- foot patrol collisions

Five Air Toxins in Smoke

• Respirable particulatesRespirable particulates

• Carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide

• Formaldehyde

• Acrolein

• Benzene

Respirable Particulates

• 80-95% of particulates are PM2.5, i.e. <2.5 microns.

• Exposure causes irritation of mucous membranes and decreased lung function.

• Particulates serve as vectors for carcinogens

Carbon Monoxide

• Colorless, odorless gas.• Interferes with oxygen transport.• Exposure may cause headache,

nausea, impaired judgement, slow reactions.

• Exposure effects may last 72 hours.• Smokers at increased risk.• At high levels can cause death.

Managing Smoke Exposure• Brief your crew• Rotate people out of high exposure areas• Consider when to Use protection

Managing Smoke Exposure

This is not a respirator!

It does not filter <PM10100 microns

Smoke- It in you, You in it

Prescribed fire smoke hazards– Toxins in smoke enter your lungs– Particles in smoke irritate eyes and lungs– Deadly carbon monoxide

Smoke on roads and fire lanes– Vehicle collisions– Vehicle- foot patrol collisions

Boots on a Road in Smoke?Watch Out!

Smoke Management Toolbox

When do we need to manage Smoke in Belize?

• Give five examples…

or this class will get smoky!

General approaches to managing smoke:

1. Reduce the emissions produced from a given area = burn when less fuel is available

2. Redistribute the emissions by burning when dispersion is good, and when wind direction is favorable = up, up, and away

3. Ration the amount of emissions emitted at any given time = burn fewer acres per hour

Smoke Management

Reduce Smoke- Fuels• Dry fine fuels= less smoke• Wet fuels= more smoke

Specific area conditions may make some seasons burn with a portion of fuels unavailable!

Burn when duff and heavy fuels are moist but fine fuels are dry!

Smoke Management

Reduce Smoke- FireBacking fire= less smoke / Head fire= more smoke

Smoke Management

Reduce Smoke- Action

• Mop-up heavy fuels= less smoke

• Mow, grind, or treat fuels ahead of burn

Smoke Management

Redistribute Smoke- Wind

• Wind direction= less smoke on sensitive spots

• Wind speed= low speeds can slow dispersion

Smoke Management

Redistribute Smoke- Atmosphere

• High mixing height= gets smoke up

• Good transport wind= smoke goes away

Smoke Management

Ration your Smoke

• Burning small over time= less smoke density

• Rotate crews on line = less smoke per bloke

Be careful ...watch which way your smoke is going

It is difficult to tell which way your smoke will go.

Objectives:Objectives:1. Identify three reasons smoke management

is important to consider when planning and conducting a prescribed fire.

2. Indentify two ways smoke poses a hazard to fire crews.

3. Identify priniciple smoke management strategies and tactics available to the burn boss.