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Learn about California's Smoke Management Program, which aims to manage smoke from prescribed burning, agricultural burning, and non-agricultural burning to protect the environment and public health.
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California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board California’s Smoke Management Program April 23, 2003 IASC Meeting Sacramento, California
Why Manage Smoke? • Prescribed Burning Is Increasing -- together with more smoke • More People are Moving to Rural Areas • Nuisance Complaints • Health Impacts • Visibility Impacts
California Smoke Management • Agricultural Burning • Prepare fields for future crops • Prevent crop infestation from pests and weeds -- e.g., Rice Straw Burning • Prescribed Burning • Range Management • Wildland Vegetation Management • Forest Management
California Smoke Management Non-Agricultural Burning • Hazard Reduction Around Homes • Property Development • Residential Waste
Prescribed Burning Program Components • Smoke Management Guidelines -- CCR Title 17 • 35 Air District Programs • Permits, Burn Reg. and Smoke Mangmt Plans Req. • Local Daily Burn Authorizations Required • Post Burn Evaluation • Prescribed Fire Incident Reporting System (PFIRS)
Smoke Management Guidelines(March 2000) • Sec. 80100 -- Definitions • Sec. 80120 -- Permits • Sec. 80130 -- Reporting • Sec. 80140 -- General Program • Sec. 80145 -- District Elements • Sec. 80160 -- Prescribed Burning • Sec. 80170 -- Exemptions Smoke Management Guidelines (CCR Title 17)
Air District Smoke Management Programs • Section 80140(a) -- Each air district shall adopt, implement, and enforce a smoke management program consistent with the Guidelines • As of Dec. 5, 2002, ARB has approved 27 Air Districts programs • Electronic Versions On-linehttp://www.arb.ca.gov/smp/district/adstat.htm
Burn Authorization Process • Burn Must be Registered • Approved SMP and Permit Required • May Request ARB Burn Day Forecast -- CB3 • 96-hour Outlook • 72-hour Trend • 48-hour Forecast • Daily Burn Forecast Conf. Call • ARB 24-hour Basin Burn Day Determination • Air District 24-hour Burn Authorization
Smoke Management Plans (SMPs) • Plans for burns less than 10 acres or 1 ton PM have fewer requirements -- size, location, fuel type/amount • Plans for burns greater than 10 acres or potential to produce smoke impacts require: • description of smoke sensitive areas • consideration of alternatives • conditions for ignition • monitoring requirements
Consideration ofAlternatives to Burning • Non-burn Alternatives • Hand Thinning • Mechanical Treatments • Chipping • Alternatives End Uses • Building Products • Landscape Materials • Energy Production
Alternatives to Burning Webpage http://www.arb.ca.gov/smp/biomass/bio_map/bio_map.htm
Prescribed Fire Incident Reporting System (PFIRS) • Web-based Database • Register Burns with Air District • Create and Submit Smoke Management Plans • Obtain Air District SMP Approval • Obtain Met Forecasts and Approval to Burn • Obtain Tables and Maps of Planned, Existing, and Past Burns • Submit Burn Accomplishments Data for Final Reporting
Prescribed Fire Incident Reporting System (PFIRS) http://www.pfirs.net
Land/Air Manager Communication • IASC • SMG Working Groups • Public Education • PFIRS • Technical Tools • Alternatives to Burning • 24-96 hr Burn Forecasts • Daily Conference Calls • Air District Igntn Approvals • PFIRS • CANSAC - CA/NV Smoke and Air Committee
Program Challenges • Approve Remaining Air District Programs • Get PFIRS Up and Running • Improve Data Collection and Analysis Tools • Develop and Implement Improved Public Outreach and Education • Improve Interstate Communication and Coordination as Needed
Contact Information Bruce Oulrey Phone: (916) 322-6155Email: boulrey@arb.ca.gov http://www.arb.ca.gov/smp/smp.htm ARB Meteorology Desk (916) 322-6014