SMI West (Smoke Management Instructions) Western Oregon Smoke Management Instructions

Mon Nov 30 15:11:34 PST 2009

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

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

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

** Generally unfavorable smoke dispersal conditions through the week **

An upper level ridge in the eastern Pacific and Gulf of Alaska will dominate weather this week.  At the surface flow will go offshore as a strong surface high pressure area drops out of Canada and heads towards the northern Rockies.  With subsiding air aloft mixing heights will be suppressed.  Expect very light winds, especially in SW Oregon where the National Weather Service has issued an Air Stagnation Advisory at least through Friday.  Poor smoke dispersal conditions on Tuesday will further deteriorate Wednesday and Thursday.

OUTLOOK (TUESDAY-FRIDAY)

The upper ridge axis noses over into southeast Alaska and western Canada.  This will give light northerly flow aloft and keep atmospheric conditions very stable through the week.  Expect unfavorable burning conditions most areas at least through Friday.

2.  DISPERSION

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

MORNING
Mixing height 1000 - 1800 ft.
Transport wind NE to E at 8 - 14 mph.
Surface wind NNE to ENE at 4 - 8 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 1000 - 2000 ft.
Transport wind increases to NE to ENE at 12 - 22 mph.
Surface wind NE to ENE at 8 - 12 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 1000 - 1800 ft.
Transport wind similar to afternoon.
Surface wind similar to afternoon.

Zone 605-611 (North Cascades):

MORNING
Mixing height 1300 - 2300 ft.
Transport wind light and variable.
Surface wind ENE to ESE at 4 - 8 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 1700 - 2700 ft.
Transport wind increases to E to SE at 9 - 15 mph.
Surface wind E to ESE at 8 - 12 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 1500 - 2500 ft.
Transport wind similar to afternoon.
Surface wind similar to afternoon.

Zone 615-620 (South Coast Range):

MORNING
Mixing height 1200 - 2200 ft.
Transport wind ENE to ESE at 4 - 8 mph.
Surface wind light and variable and controlled by local terrain.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 1500 - 2500 ft.
Transport wind NE to E at 8 - 12 mph.
Surface wind increases to NE to E at 4 - 8 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height lowers below 1000 ft.
Transport wind E to ESE at 8 - 12 mph.
Surface wind ENE to ESE at 4 - 8 mph.

Zone 616-623 (South Cascades):

MORNING
Mixing height below 1000 ft.
Transport wind light and variable.
Surface wind light and variable and controlled by local terrain.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height rising to 1500 - 2500 ft.
Transport wind increases to ENE to ESE at 4 - 8 mph.
Surface wind similar to morning.

EVENING
Mixing height 1300 - 2300 ft.
Transport wind E to ESE at 8 - 14 mph.
Surface wind ENE to ESE at 6 - 10 mph.

OUTLOOK:

WEDNESDAY
In the Coast Range mixing height below 1000 ft during the morning rising to 1000 to 1800 ft during the afternoon.  In the Cascades mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 1000 to 1600 ft by late morning and through the afternoon.  Transport wind E to ESE at 8 - 14 mph.  Surface wind E to SE at 6 - 10 mph during the morning becoming light and variable during the afternoon.

THURSDAY
Mixing height below 1000 ft during the morning rising to 1000 to 1700 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind light and variable.  Surface wind light and variable.

FRIDAY
Mixing height below 1000 ft during the morning rising to 1000 to 1600 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind light and variable.  Surface wind light and variable.

3.  BURNING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL ZONES IN THE WESTERN OREGON AREA
These instructions are valid for burning conducted on Tuesday, December 1, 2009.
=================================================================

Coast Range

***Avoid ignitions before 11:00am in all zones.  Complete ignitions by 3:00pm. in all zones.***

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

Cascades

***Avoid ignitions before 11:00am in all zones.  Complete ignitions by 3:00pm in all zones.***

Zone 605, 606, 620, and 622
No burning allowed.

Zone 607, 608, 616, 617, and 623
Units should be 500 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart, and 15 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Zone 609, 610, and 611
Units should be 1000 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart, and 15 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Siskiyous
Units should be 1000 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart, and 15 miles from downwind SSRAs.

==============================================================
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.

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