The Meteorologically Scheduled Open Burn

Abstract

The Meteorologically Scheduled Open Burn The feasibility of open burning under selected meteorological conditions is discussed. Meteorological provisos and nonmeteorological factors are enumerated. Topics discussed include: combustion, fuel moisture, fire hazard, forecasting, fallout and odor, and air pollution potential. A mathematical estimate of visibility reduction is described and evaluated. A procedure for estimating atmospheric ventilation is presented. The author concludes that most massive open fires result in adverse effects on either a local or areawide scale. Hence, the best meteorological decision possible is frequently one that minimizes one scale of effect at the expense of the other.

Development of a Meteorologically Controlled Agricultural Burning Program

“…Meteorological control had been used previously as a non-agricultural variance procedure under Regulation 1 where it was applied to a limited number of open burns in special hardship cases. Meteorological conditions for such variances were stringently controlled and tailored to a specific site (Duckworth, 1965). The meteorologically controlled agricultural burning program has been a more ambitious undertaking, however, since it is applied to extensive orchard areas throughout our 7000 sq mi District (Fig.…”