SMI West (Smoke Management Instructions) Western Oregon Smoke Management Instructions - corrected for issue day

[ODF Smoke Management Instructions]

SMOKE MANAGEMENT FORECAST AND INSTRUCTIONS
SALEM FORESTRY WEATHER CENTER
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

ISSUED:  Monday , November 16, 2009       2:30 PM      Jim Little

1.  DISCUSSION AND FORECAST FOR THE WESTERN OREGON AREA FORECAST ZONES 601-623

An active Pacific cold front that was stalled over northwest Oregon on Monday will finally move eastward Tuesday.  Rain with this system will occasionally be heavy.  Late in the day, as the front moves east, some stabilization of the atmosphere is likely, thus burning should begin early.  Smoke dispersal conditions should be good to excellent throughout most of the day, deteriorating slowly in the late afternoon. 

    OUTLOOK (WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY)

Post frontal showers continue Wednesday.  Mixing heights will be a bit lower than on Tuesday, but smoke dispersal conditions should remain moderate.  However, warm overrunning conditions ahead of the next Pacific cold front will put a lid on mixing heights.  There is model disagreement on the timing of that next front.  My best estimate is that it will stall similarly to the system on Monday/Tuesday and not reach the area until Friday.  That means the most stable conditions will likely be Thursday, with improving smoke dispersal conditions again on Friday. 

2.  DISPERSION

Zone 601, 602, 603 and 612 (North Coast Range):

MORNING
Mixing height 5000 ft.
Transport wind SW to W at 15 - 25 mph.
Surface wind SSE to SSW at 10 - 20 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 5000 ft.
Transport wind WSW to W at 10-20 mph.
Surface wind SSE to SSW at 8 - 15 mph

EVENING
Mixing height 3000 ft.
Transport wind similar to afternoon.
Surface wind similar to afternoon.

Zone 605-611 (North Cascades):

MORNING
Mixing height 5000 ft.
Transport wind SW to W at 15 - 25 mph.
Surface wind SSE to SSW at 10 - 20 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing 4000 ft.
Transport wind WSW to W at 10-20 mph.
Surface wind SSE to SSW at 8 - 15 mph

EVENING
Mixing height 3000 ft.
Transport wind similar to afternoon.
Surface wind similar to afternoon.

Zone 615-623 (South Coast Range and Cascades):

MORNING
Mixing height 5000 ft.
Transport wind SSE to SSW at 10 - 20 mph.
Surface wind SSE to SSW at 8 - 12 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 4000-5000 ft.
Transport wind S to SSW at 15 - 25 mph.
Surface wind SSE to SSW at 10 - 20 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 3000 ft.
Transport wind similar to afternoon.
Surface wind SSE to SSW at 9 - 15 mph.

OUTLOOK:

WEDNESDAY
Mixing height 3500-4500 feet north.  5000 feet south coast.   Transport winds from the south at 15-25. Surface winds south 10-20.

THURSDAY
Mixing height 3500 feet north.  3000 feet south.  Transport winds from the south at 15-30.  Surface winds south at 15-20.

FRIDAY
Mixing height 5000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind becoming SSE becoming SW-NW afternoon.  Surface wind becoming SSE becoming SW-NW afternoon.  

3.  BURNING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL ZONES IN THE WESTERN OREGON AREA
These instructions are valid for burning conducted on Monday, November 16, 2009.
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Coast Range

All Zones except 602 and 603.
Use standard guidance matrix. (See section 5 below.)  Ensure adequate distance from downwind SSRAs for smoke to dissipate.

Zone 602 and 603.  Units should be 500 tons or less.  Ensure adequate distance from downwind SSRAs for smoke to dissipate.

Cascades

Zone 605, 606, 611, and 616
Use the standard guidance matrix.

Zone 607, 608, 609, 610, 617, 620, 622, and 623
Use standard guidance matrix. (See section 5 below.)  Ensure adequate distance from downwind SSRAs for smoke to dissipate.


Siskiyous
Use standard guidance matrix. (See section 5 below.)  Ensure adequate distance from downwind SSRAs for smoke to dissipate.

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4.  SPECIAL NOTE:

    Call the smoke management duty forecaster at (503) 945-7401 to
    discuss burning.  Please do not call individual's numbers to 
    discuss daily burning.  If the forecaster is not available, 
    leave a message and he will return your call as soon as possible.
    Avoid calling between 2 to 2:30 p.m.  

    The forecast is available on the Internet at: 
      http://oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/fire.shtml/#Smoke_Management 

    Please ensure your units have been planned and accomplished by checking: 
      http://oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/SMP/dailysmoke.shtml 


5.  STANDARD GUIDANCE MATRIX:

  * Greater than 5000 ft mixing height:  No burning within 5 miles of 
    downwind SSRA.  Maximum 100 tons per mile from downwind SSRA. 
    Example:  500 ton maximum allowed if burned 5 miles from downwind SSRA.

  * 3000 - 5000 ft mixing height:  No burning within 10 miles of 
    downwind SSRA.  Maximum 75 tons per mile from downwind SSRA. 
    Example:  750 ton maximum allowed if burned 10 miles from downwind SSRA.

  * Less than 3000 ft mixing height:  No burning within 15 miles of 
    downwind SSRA.  Maximum 50 tons per mile from downwind SSRA. 
    Example:  750 ton maximum allowed if burned 15 miles from downwind SSRA.

  * All exceptions must be coordinated with the duty forecaster 
    prior to ignition.