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

Tue Sep 21 14:55:21 PDT 2010

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

ISSUED: Tuesday, September 21, 2010       2:30 PM      Jim Little

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

    WEDNESDAY

An upper level trough moves from California to Nevada during the day.  A weak upper ridge builds into western Oregon behind the trough.  Surface high pressure builds northward also.  Weather will be dry, and maximum mixing heights generally between 4000 and 5000 feet.

    OUTLOOK (THURSDAY-SATURDAY)

On Thursday a weakening upper disturbance moves into British Columbia and a weak trailing cold front drags across northwest Oregon.  Some light rain is likely in the extreme northwestern corner of the state, otherwise expect dry weather and fair to good smoke dispersal conditions.  By Friday a deep upper low in the Gulf of Alaska builds a moderate upper ridge over the Pacific Northwest.  This will give dry weather but warm air aloft will suppress mixing heights a bit.  The upper low moves closer on Saturday and flow aloft veers to more southerly.  However, moisture stays well east of the state for more pleasant, dry weather.

2.  DISPERSION

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

MORNING
Mixing height 2200 - 3200 ft.
Transport wind light and variable.
Surface wind light and variable and controlled by local terrain.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 2100 - 3100 ft.
Transport wind increases to WSW to WNW at 10 - 16 mph.
Surface wind increases to WNW to NNW at 9 - 15 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 1000 - 1700 ft.
Transport wind WNW to NNW at 10 - 20 mph.
Surface wind W to NW at 5 - 9 mph.

Zone 605-611 (North Cascades):

MORNING
Mixing height 2600 - 3600 ft.
Transport wind light and variable.
Surface wind WNW to NNW at 4 - 8 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height rising above 5000 ft.
Transport wind increases to WSW to NW at 5 - 9 mph.
Surface wind W to NW at 6 - 10 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 1300 - 2300 ft.
Transport wind similar to afternoon.
Surface wind becomes light and variable and controlled by local terrain.

Zone 615-620 (South Coast Range):

MORNING
Mixing height 1000 - 1700 ft.
Transport wind light and variable.
Surface wind light and variable and controlled by local terrain.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height rising to 2500 - 3500 ft.
Transport wind increases to WSW to WNW at 8 - 14 mph.
Surface wind increases to NW to NNW at 8 - 14 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height lowers below 1000 ft.
Transport wind W to NW at 4 - 8 mph.
Surface wind becomes light and variable and controlled by local terrain.

Zone 616-623 (South Cascades):

MORNING
Mixing height 2300 - 3300 ft.
Transport wind WSW to NW at 4 - 8 mph.
Surface wind W to NW at 5 - 9 mph.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 3100 - 4100 ft.
Transport wind WSW to NW at 6 - 12 mph.
Surface wind WNW to NNW at 8 - 12 mph.

EVENING
Mixing height 1600 - 2600 ft.
Transport wind WNW to NNW at 4 - 8 mph.
Surface wind becomes light and variable and controlled by local terrain.

OUTLOOK:

THURSDAY
In the north mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 3000 to 4000 ft by late morning and through the afternoon.  In the south mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 1400 to 2400 ft by late morning rising to 3500 to 4500 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind S to SW at 6 - 10 mph during the morning becoming WSW to WNW at 9 - 15 mph during the afternoon.  Surface wind S to SW at 4 - 8 mph during the morning becoming WSW to WNW at 8 - 14 mph during the afternoon.

FRIDAY
Mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 1200 to 2200 ft by late morning rising to 3500 to 4500 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind SSE to SSW at 4 - 8 mph during the morning becoming light and variable during the afternoon.  Surface wind light and variable.

SATURDAY
Mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 1000 to 2000 ft by late morning rising to 3000 to 4000 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 Wednesday, September 22, 2010.
=================================================================

Coast Range

Zone 601, 612, and 616 east of R9W
Units should be 750 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart, and 15 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Zone 602 and 603
No burning allowed.  Higher tonnage is possible south of the Siuslaw River in Zone 603.  Call the forecaster.

Zone 615 and 616 west of R8W
Units should be 1000 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart, and 15 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Zone 618 and 619
Units should be 1500 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart, and 15 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Zone 620
Units should be 500 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart, and 15 miles from downwind SSRAs.  Higher tonnage is possible south of T35S.  Call the forecaster.

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.

Zone 610 and 611
Units should be 1000 tons or less, spaced 5 miles apart, and 10 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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