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

Mon Nov 23 14:29:11 PST 2009

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

ISSUED: Monday, November 23, 2009       2:30 PM      Jim Little

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

** Unfavorable burning situation due to very poor smoke dispersion **

An upper ridge of high pressure remains over the region on Tuesday producing stagnant conditions with light winds and low mixing heights.  Smoke dispersal conditions will be poor and recommend against burning Tuesday and Wednesday.  Mixing heights will generally be in the 1000-2000 foot range.

    OUTLOOK (WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY)

On Wednesday the upper ridge axis shifts east but the ridge itself still dominates Pacific Northwest weather.  Low mixing heights and light winds continue.  By Thanksgiving Day the ridge will be off to the east and an upper level trough will approach.  A weakening Pacific cold front will spread rain into western Oregon late in the day.  Smoke dispersal conditions will improve, especially in the south.  Friday looks showery with another weak Pacific cold front late in day.  Expect fair to good smoke dispersal conditions.

2.  DISPERSION

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

MORNING
Mixing height 1000 - 1500 ft.
Transport wind S to SW at 8 - 12 mph.
Surface wind light and variable and controlled by local terrain.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 1000 - 2000 ft.
Transport wind becomes light and variable.
Surface wind similar to morning.

EVENING
Mixing height lowers below 1000 ft.
Transport wind increases to SE to SSW at 4 - 8 mph.
Surface wind similar to afternoon.

Zone 605-611 (North Cascades):

MORNING
Mixing height 1000 - 1600 ft.
Transport wind SE to SSW at 4 - 8 mph.
Surface wind light and variable and controlled by local terrain.

AFTERNOON
Mixing height 1500 - 2500 ft.
Transport wind becomes light and variable.
Surface wind similar to morning.

EVENING
Mixing height lowers below 1000 ft.
Transport wind increases to N to SSE at 5 - 9 mph.
Surface wind similar to afternoon.

Zone 615-620 (South Coast Range):

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 shifts to NW to N at 5 - 9 mph.
Surface wind similar to morning.

EVENING
Mixing height lowers below 1000 ft.
Transport wind becomes light and variable.
Surface wind similar to afternoon.

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 1200 - 2200 ft.
Transport wind similar to morning.
Surface wind similar to morning.

EVENING
Mixing height lowers below 1000 ft.
Transport wind similar to afternoon.
Surface wind similar to afternoon.

OUTLOOK:

WEDNESDAY
Mixing height below 1000 ft during the morning rising to 1200 to 2200 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind SE to S at 4 - 8 mph during the morning becoming light and variable during the afternoon.  Surface wind light and variable.

THURSDAY
Mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 1000 to 1800 ft by late morning rising to 3300 to 4300 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind S to SW at 8 - 14 mph.  Surface wind light and variable.

FRIDAY
Mixing height 2200 to 3200 ft during the morning rising to 3000 to 4000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind W to NW at 8 - 12 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, November 24, 2009.
=================================================================

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.

Zone 615, 618, and 619
Use standard guidance matrix. (See section 5 below.)  Avoid burning directly upwind of the North Bend/Coos Bay SSRA.

Zone 616 west of R8W
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 the Rogue River.  Call the forecaster.

Cascades

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

Zone 607, 608, and 609
Use standard guidance matrix. (See section 5 below.)  Ensure adequate distance from downwind SSRAs for smoke to dissipate.

Zone 610, 611, and 617
Units should be 1000 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart, and 15 miles from downwind SSRAs.  South of T30S in Zone 617 units should be 500 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart.

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

Zone 623
Units should be 750 tons or less, spaced 15 miles apart, and 15 miles from downwind SSRAs.

Siskiyous
Use standard guidance matrix. (See section 5 below.)

==============================================================
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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