Smoke from fire is a local, regional and often international issue that is growing in complexity as competition for airshed resources increases. BlueSky is a smoke modeling framework designed to help address this problem by enabling simulations of the cumulative smoke impacts from fires (prescribed, wildland, and agricultural) across a region. Versions of BlueSky have been implemented in prediction systems across the contiguous US, and land managers, air-quality regulators, incident command teams, and the general public can currently obtain BlueSky-based predictions of smoke impacts for their region. A highly modular framework, BlueSky links together a variety of state-of-the-art models of meteorology, fuels, consumption, emissions, and air quality, and offers multiple model choices at each modeling step. This modularity also allows direct comparison between similar component models. This paper presents the overall model framework Version 2.5 – the component models, how they are linked together, and the results from case studies of two wildfires. Predicted results are affected by the specific choice of modeling pathway. With the pathway chosen, the modeled output generally compares well with plume shape and extent as observed by satellites, but underpredicts surface concentrations as observed by ground monitors. Sensitivity studies show that knowledge of fire behavior can greatly improve the accuracy of these smoke impact calculations.
This file was created by scanning the printed publication. Text errors identified by the software have been corrected; however, some errors may remain. A management strategy to restore forest health at lower elevations will require that the seral ponderosa pine and western larch stands be managed for much lower tree densities and a more open coniferous understory than have been the case. A combination of silvicultural partial cutting and prescribed fire on a large scale will be needed to produce the desired future condition of healthy, open, and parklike forests. We have attempted to exclude fire from fire-dependent ecosystems with disastrous results. Now we must take bold steps in restoring forest health to the Blue Mountains through an integrated strategy of silvicultural and fire prescriptions. Authors Cover PhotosKeywords: Forest health, ecosystem functions, fire, Blue Mountains.The Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon and southeast Washington are composed of a complex mix of ecosystems, habitats, landforms, and economies. Several consecutive years of drought, epidemic insect infestations, and catastrophic fire are threatening the natural resources and the social and economic systems within the Blue Mountains. The general health of the forests is not good and may be worsening. A primary factor leading to the current deteriorated condition has been the exclusion of fire. Past timber management practices also have contributed.This publication is part of a series on forest health in the Blue Mountains. The goal of this series is to provide a discussion of forest health issues from various science perspectives. The series will include discussions on several aspects: insects and disease; economic and social issues; fire; fish, riparian areas, and water quality; ecology and range, wildlife; and a summary of forest health public forums held throughout the Blue MountainsThe Blue Mountains Natural Resources Institute has been the focal point for much of the discussion regarding the science issues associated with forest health. This organization, which includes over 60 partners, has broad representation and a strong interest in restoring health to the forests and communities of the Blue Mountains area. The Institute has fostered publication of these papers as one more step in the long process of restoring health to east-side forested landscapes Thomas M. Quigley Abstract Preface
_____________________________________This state-of-knowledge review about the effects of fire on air quality can assist land, fire, and air resource managers with fire and smoke planning, and their efforts to explain to others the science behind fire-related program policies and practices to improve air quality. Chapter topics include air quality regulations and fire; characterization of emissions from fire; the transport, dispersion, and modeling of fire emissions; atmospheric and plume chemistry; air quality impacts of fire; social consequences of air quality impacts; and recommendations for future research.
This strategic plan is a technical discussion of the implementation and development of models and data systems used to manage the air quality impacts of wildland and prescribed fires. Strategies and priorities in the plan were generated by the Express Team (chartered by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group) and a diverse group of 86 subject matter experts who attended a national planning workshop.Air pollution from fires used to manage ecosystems is an issue in many parts of the country. Land managers are rapidly expanding the use of fire for managing ecosystems, while air resource managers are accelerating efforts to reduce the impacts of fires on air quality. This plan provides a conceptual design as a first step toward balancing these goals, identifies information needs to support management and policy development, and identifies strategies for developing and implementing models and data systems. The conceptual design was based around a three-dimensional array of air resource components and fire management components at various project scales. This array was reduced to nine program elements, each with a description of their scope, current situation, desired state, and strategies to reach that state.The Express Team recommends nine summary strategies as a synthesis of internal discussions, review comments, and proceedings of the national workshop. The strategies recommended relate to:• Fuel and fire characterization• Emission modeling systems• Transport, dispersion, and secondary pollutant formation• Air quality impact assessment• Emissions tradeoffs and determination of natural visibility• Impact and risk assessment of emissions from fires• Monitoring guidelines and protocols• National fire and air quality information database• Public information and protection Keywords: Fire, air, wildland fire, fire effects, fire management, fire modeling, air quality, air pollution, air resource management, data systems. SummaryThis strategic plan is a technical discussion intended to foster efficient development and implementation of models and data systems used to manage the air quality impacts of wildland and prescribed fires. The Express Team that developed this was sanctioned by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Fire Use Working Team. Strategies and priorities recommended in the plan were generated by the Express Team and a diverse group of 86 experts who attended a national planning workshop sponsored by NWCG agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in November 1997.Fire has become an increasingly integral part of ecosystem management, but air pollutants emitted from those fires are an issue in many parts of the country. Policy development is underway to guide the expected increase and continuation in the use of prescribed fire and to improve air quality with respect to fine particulates, visibility, ozone, and regional haze. This plan provides the conceptual design and strategic direction as a first step in meeting the growing need for information to manage emissions from fire.Managing...
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