ODF Smoke Management Burn-Boss Primer

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) provides written prescribed-burning smoke management forecasts/instructions during the October-June period. Three regional weather/smoke forecasts are issued between 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Monday-Friday (excluding holidays). They are available on the Web and may be emailed directly to you (sign-up instructions below).

The forecasts include a general weather discussion, a dispersion forecast (mixing heights & winds), and burning instructions for the next day or next few days (weekends and holidays).  Friday afternoon’s forecast has written instructions through at least the following Monday, or through Tuesday if Monday is a holiday. Special instructions, including how to use/interpret the “Standard Guidance Matrix” follows the dispersion forecast. For burns cleared prior to the day of ignition: On the morning of the burn, check your email and/or the forecast website for an updated forecast and call the forecast office if you have any concerns.

Our goal is to supply you with burning instructions no later than the day prior to your planned burn. If the written instructions “clear” your burn for smoke, it is not necessary to call the ODF forecast office for burning clearance. However,

You are encouraged to call the duty meteorologist at 503-945-7401, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your planned burn or wish to obtain verbal smoke clearance for a burn that is not specifically cleared via the written instructions.

Web addresses for the forecasts (3):

“SMI_West” (Western & North-Central Oregon):

http://www.odf.state.or.us/DIVISIONS/protection/fire_protection/DAILY/smi.htm

“SMI_South_Central” (South-Central Oregon):

http://www.odf.state.or.us/DIVISIONS/protection/fire_protection/daily/lmt.htm

“SMI_Northeast” (NE Oregon):

http://www.odf.state.or.us/DIVISIONS/protection/fire_protection/daily/neo.htm

Sign up here for the various smoke forecast email lists:  http://weather.smkmgt.com/mailman/listinfo/

When you sign up, you should receive a “confirmation email” to which you must reply to get on the list.  That’s it!  Then you should receive a direct email with the forecast whenever it is issued.  If you do not get the forecast via email, please check the website, which is always updated before emails are sent.

Note: The ODF smoke management forecast does not replace the spot forecast from the NWS that you may be required to obtain (different purpose).