SMI South Central (Smoke Management Instructions) South Central Oregon Smoke Management Instructions

[ODF Smoke Management Instructions]

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

ISSUED: Tuesday, May 5, 2009       2:40 PM      Jim Little

1.  DISCUSSION AND FORECAST FOR SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON ZONES 624 AND 625

The main jet stream and storm track remain aimed at the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday.  A surge of moisture from the west-southwest will reach the Oregon coast early in the day and then spread across the Cascades for periods of light rain.  Mixing heights will be 5000 feet or above during the afternoon for good to excellent smoke dispersal conditions.  Transport winds will be generally southerly early then more southwesterly during the day.

    OUTLOOK (THURSDAY-SATURDAY):

Surface high pressure off the California coast builds northward slowly on Thursday cutting off showers.  Mixing heights remain high transport winds will be generally westerly becoming northwesterly.  By Friday the surface high noses into the Pacific Northwest for dry weather.  A thermal trough develops in California and transport winds go light and variable.  While weak ridging aloft develops Friday and Saturday there will still be a fairly strong west-to-east flow aloft with minor imbedded impulses.  At this point it looks like dry weather for Saturday, however.  Mixing heights Friday and Saturday will lower somewhat but still be high enough during the afternoons for fair to good smoke dispersal.

2.  DISPERSION

WEDNESDAY
Mixing height above 5000 ft during the morning and afternoon.  Mixing height lowers below 1000 ft during the evening.

Transport wind SW to WSW at 10 - 22 mph during the morning.  Transport wind increases to SW to W at 18 - 32 mph during the afternoon then decreases to WSW to W at 14 - 28 mph during the evening.

Surface wind SSE to SSW at 10 - 20 mph during the morning.  Surface wind shifts to WSW to W at 10 - 22 mph during the afternoon and evening.

OUTLOOK:

THURSDAY
Mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 4000 - 5000 ft by late morning rising above 5000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind W to NW at 10 - 16 mph.  Surface wind light and variable during the morning becoming WNW to NW at 9 - 15 mph during the afternoon.

FRIDAY
Mixing height 3000 - 4000 ft during the morning rising above 5000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind light and variable during the morning becoming WNW to NNW at 4 - 8 mph during the afternoon.  Surface wind light and variable during the morning becoming W to NW at 4 - 8 mph during the afternoon.

SATURDAY
Mixing height 3000 - 4000 ft during the morning rising above 5000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind light and variable.  Surface wind light and variable during the morning becoming WNW to NNW at 4 - 8 mph during the afternoon.

3.  BURNING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ZONES 624 AND 625 INCLUDING THE WALKER
    RANGE PORTION OF ZONE 624
This instruction is valid for burning conducted on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.
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Avoid ignitions within 12 miles to the SSW through W of SSRAs.  For units that will smolder significantly through the night avoid burning within at least 20 miles to the SSW through NW in or near drainages leading to SSRAs.  Care needed in selecting units as smoke will likely fumigate along the ground in wind prone areas.  Complete ignitions by 4pm

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4.  SPECIAL NOTE:

    The smoke management forecaster is available at (503)
    945-7401.  The smoke management forecaster is available
    to discuss specific burns.  The duty forecaster phone
    number is (503) 945-7401. Please call this number and
    not individual's numbers to discuss daily burning. Please
    avoid calling before 8 a.m. and between 2 to 3 p.m.

    This 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


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