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

Mon May 17 14:08:15 PDT 2010

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

ISSUED: Monday, May 17, 2010       2:30 PM      Jim Little

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

    TUESDAY

Weather maps show a large upper level low in the Gulf of Alaska with counter-clockwise flow around the low giving southerly winds aloft to the region.  Warmer air with this southerly flow will suppress mixing heights somewhat but there will be plenty of moisture for scattered showers.  Expect maximum mixing heights generally in the 3000 to 4000 foot range for fair smoke dispersal conditions and southwesterly to southerly transport winds.

    OUTLOOK (WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY)

A vigorous upper level disturbance rotates around the Gulf of Alaska low.  This generates a strong surface low that moves northward off the coastline during the day. This will produce strong pressure gradients and brisk winds on Wednesday. Significant (for the time of year) rain spreads across the entire region during the morning hours.  Expect high mixing heights for good smoke dispersal conditions.  By Thursday the Gulf low splits and a portion moves to off Vancouver Island.  This will continue to rotate moisture into the area.  By Friday weak ridging aloft lowers mixing heights but there will still be enough moisture for showers.

2.  DISPERSION

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

MORNING
Mixing height 2200 - 3200 ft.
Transport wind SW to WSW at 10 - 22 mph.
Surface wind SW to WSW at 9 - 15 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 3000 - 4000 ft.
Transport wind SW to W at 15 - 25 mph.
Surface wind SW to W at 10 - 18 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 1400 - 2400 ft.
Transport wind SW to W at 10 - 20 mph.
Surface wind SW to W at 6 - 12 mph.

Zone 605-611 (North Cascades):

MORNING
Mixing height 1200 - 2200 ft.
Transport wind SSW to WSW at 6 - 12 mph.
Surface wind SSW to WSW at 6 - 12 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height rising to 2500 - 3500 ft.
Transport wind SW to WNW at 6 - 12 mph.
Surface wind SW to WNW at 6 - 12 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 1200 - 2200 ft.
Transport wind WSW to WNW at 9 - 15 mph.
Surface wind similar to afternoon.

Zone 615-620 (South Coast Range):

MORNING
Mixing height 3100 - 4100 ft.
Transport wind SSW to SW at 10 - 22 mph.
Surface wind SSW to SW at 10 - 20 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 3500 - 4500 ft.
Transport wind SW to WSW at 10 - 22 mph.
Surface wind SW to W at 10 - 18 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 1800 - 2800 ft.
Transport wind decreases to SW to W at 6 - 12 mph.
Surface wind decreases to SW to W at 6 - 10 mph.

Zone 616-623 (South Cascades):

MORNING
Mixing height 1000 - 2000 ft.
Transport wind light and variable and controlled by local terrain.
Surface wind S to SW at 4 - 8 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height rising to 3000 - 4000 ft.
Transport wind increases to WSW to NW at 6 - 10 mph.
Surface wind shifts to WSW to NW at 6 - 12 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 1300 - 2300 ft.
Transport wind W to NNW at 5 - 9 mph.
Surface wind WNW to NNW at 5 - 9 mph.

OUTLOOK:

WEDNESDAY
Mixing height 2700 to 3700 ft during the morning rising above 5000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind SSE to SSW at 10 - 16 mph during the morning becoming SW to WSW at 16 - 26 mph during the afternoon.  Surface wind SE to S at 8 - 12 mph during the morning becoming SW to WSW at 10 - 22 mph during the afternoon.

THURSDAY
Mixing height 2600 to 3600 ft during the morning rising above 5000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind SSW to WSW at 6 - 12 mph.  Surface wind light and variable.

FRIDAY
Mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 1800 to 2800 ft by late morning rising to 3100 to 4100 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind SW to W at 4 - 8 mph.  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, May 18, 2010.
=================================================================

Coast Range

Zone 601 and 612
Units should be 750 tons or less, spaced 10 miles apart, and 12 miles from downwind SSRAs.  Restrict units in or near corridors to 500 tons or less.  North of Tillamook in Zone 601, use standard guidance matrix. (See section 5 below.)

Zone 602 and 603
Units should be 300 tons or less, spaced 10 miles apart, and 12 miles from downwind SSRAs.  North of T3N in Zone 602, use standard guidance matrix. (See section 5 below.)  Avoid burning in or near corridors.  Units may be 500 tons or less, spaced 10 miles apart, south of the Siuslaw River in Zone 603.

Zone 615
Units should be 1200 tons or less, spaced 8 miles apart, and 10 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Zone 616 west of R8W
Units should be 1000 tons or less, spaced 8 miles apart, and 10 miles from downwind SSRAs.  Higher tonnage is possible south of T29S.  Call the forecaster.

Zone 616 east of R9W
Units should be 500 tons or less, spaced 8 miles apart, and 10 miles from downwind SSRAs.  Higher tonnage is possible south of T29S.  Call the forecaster.

Zone 618
Units should be 2000 tons or less, spaced 8 miles apart, and 10 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Zone 619 and 620
Units should be 1500 tons or less, spaced 8 miles apart, and 10 miles from downwind SSRAs.  South of T35S in Zone 620 units should be 500 tons or less, spaced 8 miles apart, and 10 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Cascades

Zone 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 616, 617, 622, and 623
Use standard guidance matrix. (See section 5 below.)  Ensure adequate distance from downwind SSRAs for smoke to dissipate.  From T15S through T20S in Zone 608 units should be 750 tons or less, spaced 10 miles apart.

Zone 610 and 611
Units should be 750 tons or less, spaced 10 miles apart, and 12 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Zone 620
Units should be 500 tons or less, spaced 10 miles apart, and 12 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Siskiyous
Units should be 1000 tons or less, spaced 10 miles apart, and 12 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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