[ODF_Private_Forests] Smoke mgmt committee meets 7-24, Salem

[WEEKS Kevin]

The Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today.


Smoke management committee meets July 24, Salem


July 17, 2012                                                       Major media distribution
                                                                                Contact:
                                                                                Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, rnichols at odf.state.or.us<mailto:rnichols at odf.state.or.us>


The Smoke Management Review committee will discuss several topics concerning prescribed forest burning when it meets on Thursday, July 24, in Salem. Highlight topics slated for discussion include:

§  Prescribed burning fees
§  Process for designation of smoke-sensitive receptor areas
§  Deadline for submission of burn plans
§  Emission reduction techniques and alternatives to burning
§  Special Protection Zones

The committee includes representatives of the public, federal agencies, the forest industry, air quality regulators and small woodland owners. The members are knowledgeable about smoke management issues and Oregon's Smoke Management plan. The Oregon departments of Environmental Quality and Forestry provide staff support to the committee.

Public comment periods have been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 1:40 p.m.

After timber harvest, forest landowners may reduce the risk of wildfire through controlled or "prescribed" burning of unmarketable tree residue commonly known as slash. This removes potential fuel for a wildfire. It also prepares the logged site for replanting by releasing nutrients and removing vegetation that would otherwise compete with the young trees.

Department of Forestry meteorologists monitor weather conditions throughout spring and fall as they coordinate hundreds of burning requests from private and public forest landowners. This oversight helps minimize smoke intrusions into communities. Management of forest fuels through prescribed burning greatly reduces the risk of large wildfires that can pump thousands of tons of carbon into the atmosphere.

More information on the Smoke Management plan can be found on the web, www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/fire.shtml#Smoke_Management_Information<http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/fire.shtml#Smoke_Management_Information>

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the Old Board Room of Building B (State Forester's Office) at Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, 2600 State St., in Salem.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services or assistance may be arranged by calling the department's Public Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting, 503-945-7200, text telephone 503-945-7213.

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