WRAP Fire Tracking Systems Draft

WRAP Fire Tracking Systems Draft • Intent of WRAP FTS Policy • Assist states/tribes to address emissions inventory and tracking associated with fire in a way that is adequate and required for SIP/TIP implementation under either 309 or 308. • WRAP FTS Policy Identifies • Basic and essential fire activity information necessary to consistently calculate emissions and uniformly assess fire impacts to regional haze. • WRAP FTS Policy intent • to reduce creation of individual infra-structure for tracking and to take advantage of regional emissions systems • Comment Period still open…see WRAP Website

Policy Statement A • Fire activity information for all fire types is needed in the WRAP region. A fire tracking system that captures this information will form the basis of a fire emissions inventory compiled annually, which is needed to support Regional Haze Rule requirements.

A. Fire Tracking System • FTS Policy allows for • Direct data collection • Indirect estimation techniques • Satisfy minimum spatial and temporal information needs • Support emissions inventories and modeling • Progressive implementation • Ensure comparability between the tracking of fire activity information and monitored visibility changes.

A. Emissions Inventory • Fire tracking system information provides minimum basis for fire emissions inventories • Regional approach encouraged in RHR • WRAP emissions inventory system • Point, area, biogenic, mobile, & fire sources • Temporal and spatial resolution • Man-made and natural sources • Visibility impairing pollutants • State/Tribe can calculate emissions internally within jurisdiction if they so choose

A. Emissions Inventory • Update fire activity information and the subsequent emissions inventory within the WRAP region on an annual basis. • Variability: strength, impact, location, timing • Other common RHR emission requirements • Stationary Source Milestones • Clean Air Corridors

A. Applicability • Applies equitably across all land types and fire sources. • Wildland and Agricultural Lands • Regardless of ownership, cause of ignition, or purpose of fire • Consistent consideration of fire between Sections 308 and 309 • Does Not Apply To • Other open burning activities • Native American cultural non-vegetative burning

A fire tracking system includes the following seven essential components that are necessary in order to consistently calculate emissions and to uniformly assess impacts to regional haze: 1. Date of Burn 2. Burn Location 3. Area of Burn 4. Fuel Type 5. Pre-Burn Fuel Loading 6. Type of Burn 7. “Anthropogenic” or “Natural” Classification Policy Statement B

B. Essential Components 1. Date of Burn • Attribute temporally to a specific day • Fire activity on each given day 2. Burn Location • Attribute spatially to a specific location 3. Area of Burn • Blackened acres 4. Fuel Type • Predominant fuel or cover type consumed by the fire

B. Essential Components 5. Pre-Burn Fuel Loading • Amount of fuel present at burn location 6. Type of Burn • Predominant fuel configuration 7. “Anthropogenic” or “Natural” Classification • Apportion fire’s contribution to natural visibility conditions and anthropogenic visibility impairment

B. Essential Components • No De Minimus Level recommended • Recommend use of source-receptor relationship basis for justification • FEJF FY03 Work Task to assist in exploration of fire source-receptor relationships

Policy Statement C • A fire tracking system should include additional components as needed to support the development and implementation of annual emission goals and other control measures.

C. Annual Emission Goals • WRAP AEG Policy • Additional components to support annual emissions goals and other control measures • emission reduction technique used • emissions reductions achieved • other information (e.g. fuel moisture)

Policy Statement D • A fire tracking system should include a component that addresses the projection of fire emissions, which is necessary to meet the requirements of the Regional Haze Rule.

D. Fire Emissions Projection • Sections 308 & 309 • Anticipated net effect on visibility due to projected changes in fire emissions necessary for long term strategies. • Future projected emissions necessary for periodic progress reports. • Section 309 • Evaluation of the degree of visibility impairment from smoke for both planning and operational purposes in SIP/TIP.

D. Fire Emissions Projection • Fire emissions projection component developed in a variety of ways. • Projections may be determined by • Surveys • Growth factors • Multipliers • Other techniques

D. Fire Emissions Projection • One-year projection components • Provide information critical to implementation of ESMP regional coordination element • Operational smoke management • Regional planning • Five-year projection components • Regional planning • Period addressed by long-term strategy • Demonstration of reasonable progress • Period addressed by progress reports

Policy Statement E • The development of fire tracking systems by states and tribes will be done collaboratively with state, tribal, local and federal land management agencies, and private parties.

E. Collaborative Development • State/Tribe, land management agencies, and private parties per GCVTC Report. • Collaborative process • Consider numerous mechanisms and infrastructure options • Promote economic efficiency • Avoid duplication of time and effort • Future refinements to reflect policy changes or technical advances

Future FEJF Policy Related Work • Assess potential de minimis levels for FTS • FEJF base on source/impact relationships • Guidance on format for FTS components • FEJF work closely with Emissions Forum • FEJF develop further guidance • procedure for submittal and format of fire tracking system information • quality assurance methods • FTS fire emissions projection component • FEJF develop further guidance • AEG Guidance on applicable emission reduction techniques and factors (Appendix D) • Common WRAP fuel types/agricultural crops & activities

WRAP Fire Tracking Systems Draft