
Dispersing Smoke
There are two basic smoke management practices (BSMPs) that address how to plan and manage a burn to optimize smoke dispersion. In planning for smoke dispersion be aware of potential smoke impact to areas including those affected by long range smoke transport, diurnal changes in smoke concentrations. Also be aware of residential areas and transportation corridors in which smoke may reduce visibility and impact safety.
BSMP 1) Meteorological scheduling and evaluating the impact of smoke from burning both in burn planning and burn operation.
BSMP 1 in planning
Prior to burning it is important to identify smoke sensitive areas downwind of burn areas such as highways, communities, airports, scenic vistas, Class 1 areas, non-attainment areas, etc. Determining meteorological conditions such as wind speed and direction, mixing height, inversion potential, atmospheric stability are also critical to taking steps that will promote smoke dispersal away from sensitive areas and prevent ground level accumulations. Smoke dispersion models may be useful to compare dispersion under different or anticipated meteorological scenarios. However, dispersion modeling may not necessarily be an option in all situations.