SMOKE MANAGEMENT FORECAST AND INSTRUCTIONS

SALEM FORESTRY WEATHER CENTER

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

 

ISSUED: Tuesday, June 9, 2026       2:30 PM      Gary Votaw

 

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                      We Need Your Feedback!

 

The Smoke Management Department is planning to “upgrade” this product so that it more effectively meets your needs.  To assist us with this project, we are requesting feedback from you!

 

Below are a few questions to help you consider what changes would be most beneficial for you.  All ideas are welcome!

 

Is the “Short-Term Discussion” useful?  What would enhance it?

 

Is the “Long-term Discussion” useful?  What would enhance it?

 

How could the “Dispersion” forecast better meet your needs?

 

Is the “Outlook” useful?  What would enhance it?

 

Are the “Burning Instructions” clear and concise?  How could they be improved for your use?

 

How do you access the forecast product (i.e., Email; web page; telephone recording)?

 

We are considering discontinuing or upgrading the phone recording of the forecast product.  Is that something you currently use?  Would you use it if you could get your specific forecast from it faster?

 

Please Email your feedback to: Peter.GJ.Parsons@odf.oregon.gov

Thank you!

 

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1.  DISCUSSION AND FORECAST FOR NORTHEAST FORECAST AREA ZONES 637-646

 

SHORT-TERM DISCUSSION

 

Flow aloft will be NW and drier on Wednesday though there is a chance of a lingering light shower.  Skies become mostly sunny, remaining cool or about 10-15oF below normal.  Mixing conditions remain good with decreasing W-NW winds.

 

EXTENDED DISCUSSION

 

On Thursday and Friday, NW flow weakens while an upper ridge builds offshore.  Expect sunny and much warmer conditions, 5-10oF above average.  Afternoon mixing on both days will be good with light and variable winds Thursday increasing and becoming NW for Friday.

 

Little change is expected for the weekend.  The ridge builds along the coast turning the wind N both aloft and down to the surface, but still sunny and warm.  Mixing heights on both Saturday and Sunday will be high.

 

2.  DISPERSION

 

WEDNESDAY

 

Zone 640, 642, and 644 West of R35E:

Mixing height 3800 - 4800 ft during the morning.  Mixing height rises to above 5000 ft during the afternoon then lowers to 3200 - 4200 ft during the evening.

 

Transport wind W to NW at 12 - 24 mph during the morning and afternoon.  Transport wind decreases to W to NW at 5 - 9 mph during the evening.

 

Surface wind W to NW at 4 - 8 mph throughout the day.

 

Zone 637, 643, 645, 646, and 644 East of R34E:

Mixing height above 5000 ft during the morning and afternoon.  Mixing height lowers to 3500 - 4500 ft during the evening.

 

Transport wind W to NW at 22 - 38 mph during the morning.  Transport wind decreases to W to NW at 10 - 20 mph during the afternoon and decreases to W to NW at 6 - 12 mph during the evening.

 

Surface wind WNW to NW at 10 - 20 mph during the morning.  Surface wind decreases to W to NW at 8 - 14 mph during the afternoon and decreases to W to NW at 4 - 8 mph during the evening.

 

OUTLOOK:

 

THURSDAY

Mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 3600 to 4600 ft by late morning rising above 5000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind light and variable.  Surface wind light and variable.

 

FRIDAY

Mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 4500 to 5000 ft by late morning rising above 5000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind WSW to WNW at 6 - 10 mph during the morning becoming WNW to NW at 10 - 20 mph during the afternoon.  Surface wind light and variable during the morning becoming NW to N at 6 - 10 mph during the afternoon.

 

SATURDAY

Mixing height below 1000 ft early rising to 4500 to 5000 ft by late morning rising above 5000 ft during the afternoon.  Transport wind NNW to NNE at 6 - 12 mph.  Surface wind WNW to NNW at 4 - 8 mph.

 

3.  BURNING INSTRUCTIONS FOR NORTHEAST OREGON ZONES 637-646

    - Valid for burning done Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

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Zone 640, 642, and 644 West of R35E:

Follow standard guidance matrix - see section 5 below - for burning units to the W through NW of SSRAs.  For units that will smolder significantly through the night avoid burning within at least 10 miles in all directions of SSRAs.  No additional restrictions necessary. 

 

Zone 637, 643, 645, 646, and 644 East of R34E:

Follow standard guidance matrix - see section 5 below - for burning units to the W through NW of SSRAs.  For units that will smolder significantly through the night avoid burning within at least 10 miles in all directions of SSRAs.  No additional restrictions necessary. 

 

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4.  SPECIAL NOTE:

 

    The ODF forecast smoke zones differ from the NWS fire zones and

    are available at:

    https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/documents/smoke-forecast-zone-map.pdf

 

    The smoke management forecaster is available at (503)-

    945-7401. Please call this number and not individual's

    numbers to discuss daily burning.  For large burns (over

    2000 tons) or burns extending over a considerable period,

    please request a special forecast.  Avoid calling

    between 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.

 

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

    Daily/neo.htm

 

    To subscribe to or unsubscribe from the email list for this

    product, please go to the link:

    http://weather.smkmgt.com/mailman/listinfo/

 

    Please ensure your units have been planned and accomplished by

    checking: http://oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/SMP/dailysmoke.shtml

 

    A map of planned and/or accomplished burns is located at:

    http://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html

    ?id=a7e321dc8fc444b7a33fbc67bc673a3b

 

 

5.  STANDARD GUIDANCE MATRIX:

 

  * Greater than 5000 ft mixing height: Limit to 150 tons per mile

    from downwind SSRAs.

    Example: 75 tons allowed if burned a half mile from a downwind

    SSRA.

 

  * 3000 - 5000 ft mixing height: Limit to 50 tons per mile if

    burning within 5 miles of downwind SSRAs. Limit to 100 tons

    per mile if burning 5 miles or beyond downwind SSRAs.

    Example #1: 200 tons allowed if burned 4 miles from a downwind

    SSRA.

    Example #2: 500 tons allowed if burned 5 miles from a downwind

    SSRA.

 

  * Less than 3000 ft mixing height: No burning within 5 miles of

    downwind SSRAs. Limit to 60 tons per mile from downwind SSRAs.

 

  * Ensure adequate spacing between units when burning near downwind

    SSRAs.

 

  * Use of polyethylene (PE) sheeting on greater than 75 percent of

    piles in a unit with 60 percent coverage per pile will allow a

    50 percent increase in tonnage over the existing instruction tonnage

    for that zone.

 

  * All exceptions must be coordinated with the duty forecaster

    prior to ignition.

 

 

6.  BURN MONITORING:

 

    Burns over 2000 tons must be monitored (OAR 629-048-0230(3) -

    7/1/14). Monitoring of all burns is highly recommended for both

    smoke management purposes and wildfire potential.