Cooperative Smoke Management

 

News Release – Cooperative Smoke Management

Date: August 18, 2020

Prescribed fire is an important tool for both the forestry and agricultural communities. Fire benefits the ecosystem by decreasing or slowing diseases, stimulating growth, and reducing the potential for severe wildfires. Prescribed burning only occurs when it is allowed by fire and smoke management authorities.

Smoke is a byproduct of all sources of fire. Therefore, when managing smoke, a number of factors are considered to determine if prescribed fire will be allowed.  These include:

§  the number of fires burning or planned in the area

§  the amount of smoke already in the airshed

§  the current and projected weather and air quality conditions

§  coordination between agencies and other landowners that conduct and/or manage prescribed fire

§  this year, managers are also considering the potential for smoke to exacerbate individuals’ health challenges related to the novel coronavirus

It’s important to know that local and regional fires affect air quality. Smoke can travel long distances, so fires in other areas can impact our air. Our agencies work together to manage smoke from prescribed fire and share information with the public. 

For all smoke comments and concerns, call the following number:

Smoke Hotline: 1-800-345-1007

For updates on air quality, wildfires, and prescribed burning in our area, visit:

·         Idaho Smoke Information Blog: idsmoke.blogspot.com

·         MT/ID Airshed Group Prescribed Burning Map: mi.airshedgroup.org/current-burns

·         Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests - Fire Information:

o   Website: bit.ly/NPCFireInfo

o   Social Media: www.facebook.com/NPClwNFs | www.twitter.com/NPClwNFs 

Agency Contacts:

Johna Boulafentis, Nez Perce Tribe Air Quality, 208-843-9381

Kevin Chaffee, Idaho Department of Lands, 208-935-2141

Dan Fogleman, Bureau of Land Management, 208-962-3245

Philip Hagihara, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, 208-799-4370

Jeff Handel, Nez Perce Tribe Forestry and Fire Management, 208-843-2827

Hank Heusinkveld, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, 208-702-2389

Issac Hull, Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protective Association, 208-476-5612

Seth Morphis, Montana Idaho Airshed Group, 406-329-3524  

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