ÿWPC ÷\\f[‰ælQQˆgû¢Â15›ïtLdQ×(–›#rÓh̰®AŽ$åTµs<LJ¨ ª‡!†/Ú’GØåÁ~Å[ÛZTùh5žÐÓ^Œ‡3ÛÍA+n<ÍIÍPŽ–+sh?f)±Nº@¯JL¥Ââæ`ý7?xšÞXš" ëþ”µW-þ¼S/40õËU«AÚ³E‡L>K›–þò53÷õÞ*¨o­ˆ½…gfÁ3:_D{â/úôcc`ÀÅÌŸÂÊBî jGsk"óµ¨*Ow#.“íÏ_hg«p lÑ¢‹X–öă¤#H½&`%³&µ ¥†Ã"š¶R:„+cÌX} êZH @lfÎ*hVvÔf=íÖŸ#°<4»p²ö̆,#!ñ7:q¥ñ°+ÕkëP'ž ØÎ§3:Û—’ð¼/s|´ÈâESx\‚måùj—Ôw€IùmHlsB^2[ÖBÃó+à ™­=¦FT¶¯¥~›°¸•õN5O"Õç7áú¢Ú× i¦4­ðð“Voµ/ß»KM–ð²xèòP`$«X[’óùôÌ¢Î\ë öÑKÜœè)·ó´jz¬Kß~÷U¡ˆ|aö±è…ʶ!# ÎUNÙ %' 0(-ULUw@¡4áõõ 0PTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT A\ 0DÛ˜HP LaserJet IIDHPPCL,,,,,,,,0 (ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡(ÖÃ9 Z ‹4Times New Roman Italic LUMUNUODPQRESTDUUÕ€z$Ô03|xU((3/Q$««Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ d Ô yúÿ  <<= 8ÀÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÑ7€?XXdìdÈ7ÑÌÌÌÌÌÌñRññQñmay€ñQññRññSñMay€ñSññPññJñAprilñJññIñ€ñIññKñ23,€ñKññPñ1998Ì›à@ìì*ìàœñLñˆÌñLññTññLñÌñLññTññLñà@øø%ìàñLñò òòòFACT›€SHEETó óˆÐ  ` Ðò òà@  ìàThe€Environmental€Protection€Agencyððs€(EPAððs)€ˆÐ , |  Ðà@ÄÄ ìàInterim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€œWildland›€and€Prescribed€FiresˆÌó óóóÌÌòòò òTODAYððS€ACTION...óó€ó óÐ <Œ  ÐÌoà0  àThe€U.S.€Environmental€Protection€Agency€(EPA)€is€today€issuing€a€national€policy€that€Ð d Ðaddresses€how€best€to€achieve€national€clean€air€goals,€including€EPAððs€national€air€qualityÏstandards€for€particulate€matter,€while€improving€the€quality€of€wildland€ecosystemsÏ(including€forests€and€grasslands)€through€the€increased€use€of€fire.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àEPA€worked€in€partnership€with€land€management€agencies€in€the€U.S.€Departments€ofÐ ° ÐAgriculture,€Defense,€and€the€Interior,€State€Foresters,€State€and€Tribal€air€regulators,€theÏBureau€of€Indian€Affairs€and€others€to€develop€the€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€WildlandÏand€Prescribed€Fires.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àEPAððs€Policy€provides€incentives€to€States€and€Tribes€to€adopt€and€implement€programsÐ Lœ Ðto€minimize€the€public€health€and€environmental€impacts€of€smoke€from€fires€that€areÏmanaged€to€benefit€resources€or€the€environment,€while€providing€the€flexibility€to€tailorÏthese€programs€to€meet€unique€State€and€Tribal€needs.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àEPA€is€issuing€todayððs€action€as€an€ð ðinterimðð€policy€to€provide€immediate€guidance€toÐ è 8 ÐState€and€Tribal€air€quality€and€land€managers€on€how€best€to€manage€fires€on€wildlandsÏand€meet€air€quality€goals.€€EPA€plans€to€revisit€the€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€WildlandÏand€Prescribed€Fires€after€finalizing€issues€related€to€agricultural€burning€and€regionalÏhaze.€EPA€is€currently€working€on€a€special€U.S.€Department€of€Agriculture€taskforce€toÏdetermine€how€best€to€treat€air€quality€impacts€from€agricultural€burning.€EPA€will€workÏwith€the€taskforce€to€refine€the€distinction€between€wildland€fires,€which€are€covered€byÏthis€policy,€and€agricultural€burning.€€In€addition,€EPA€has€not€yet€issued€the€final€rules€forÏimplementing€the€Regional€Haze€Program.€€Therefore,€EPA€plans€to€reexamine€this€policyÏregarding€the€impact€of€wildland€and€prescribed€fires€on€visibility€and€regional€haze,€onceÏthe€Regional€Haze€program€is€finalized.Ð (#(# Ѐ̜ò òòòñUñÐ ø+H'* ÐñUñBACKGROUND:›€€CHARTING€A€NEW€COURSE€FOR€MANAGING€FIREó óÐ ° ÐóóÌoà0  àIn€recognition€of€the€serious€problems€caused€by€past€management€practices,€includingÐ ˆØ Ðyears€of€fire€suppression€activities,€the€Departments€of€Agriculture€and€the€Interior€jointlyÏreleased€the€results€of€a€Ô‡XBXXXÔFederal€Wildland€Fire€Management€Policy€and€Program€ReviewÐ `° ÐÔ#†X?XXXBÍ #Ôin€1995.€€This€report€formally€recognized€the€critical€role€fire€plays€in€the€maintenance€ofÐ L œ Ðhealthy€wildland€ecosystems€and€endorsed€a€significant€increase€in€the€use€of€planned€orÏmanaged€fire,€called€ð ðprescribedðð€fire,€as€a€normal€land€and€resource€management€tool.€ÏFuture€plans€to€manage€fire€on€wildlands€must€incorporate€public€health€and€environmentalÏconsiderations,€including€air€quality.€€Other€federal€agencies€and€stakeholders,€includingÏEPA,€participated€in€preparing€the€Ô‡XBXXX?ÔFederal€Wildland€Fire€Management€Policy€andÐ è 8  ÐProgram€ReviewÔ#†X?XXXB^#Ô€and€endorsed€its€recommendations.ÐÔ$ (#(# ÐòòÌò òTHE€ROLE€OF€FIRE€IN€NATUREó óóóÐ ¬ü  ÐÌoà0  àFire€has€always€been€an€integral€part€of€many€healthy€ecosystems.€€Fire€allows€the€releaseÐ „Ô  Ðof€€important€nutrients€from€flammable€ð ðfuelsðð€or€debris€(logs,€fallen€branches,€etc.)€on€theÏforest€floor€into€the€soil.€By€naturally€reducing€the€amount€of€undergrowth€and€debris,€fireÏallows€trees€to€grow€taller€and€healthier,€with€less€susceptibility€to€disease€and€insectÏinfestation.€In€addition,€prescribed€fires€can€be€managed€or€controlled€to€help€reduce€theÏintensity€and€magnitude€of€bigger€wildfires€by€reducing€the€accumulation€of€flammableÏfuels€in€the€forests.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àDespite€its€benefits€to€ecosystems,€for€many€years€fire€was€aggressively€suppressed€in€ourÐ ä4 Ðnationððs€wildlands€to€protect€public€safety€and€property,€and€to€prevent€what€was€thoughtÏto€be€the€destruction€of€our€natural€and€cultural€resources.€The€damaging€effects€of€fireÏexclusion€were€difficult€to€recognize€and€mounted€gradually€and€inconspicuously€overÏdecades.€€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àFire€exclusion€practices€have€resulted€in€certain€forests€and€grasslands€plagued€with€aÐ l¼ Ðvariety€of€problems,€including€overcrowding,€resulting€from€the€encroachment€of€speciesÏnormally€suppressed€by€fire;€vulnerability€of€trees€to€insects€and€disease;€and€inadequateÏreproduction€of€certain€species.€€In€addition,€heavy€accumulation€of€fuel€(such€as€deadÏvegetation€on€forests€floors)€can€cause€catastrophic€wildfires,€which€threaten€public€safety,Ïimpair€forest€and€ecosystem€health,€and€degrade€air€quality.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àThe€lack€of€fire€has€also€had€unintended€ecological€effects,€leading€to€the€loss€of€habitatÐ à%0!$ Ðfor€rare€species€and€the€decline€of€ecosystems.€€Fire€exclusion€can€lead€to€an€alteration€inÏnatural€community€types€and€an€important€loss€of€biodiversity.€€Many€plant€and€animalÏspecies€are€on€the€decline€because€they€exist€in€fire„dependent€habitats€that€have€notÏburned€in€decades.Ð (#(# ÐÌœòòò òñMñÐ h+¸&* ÐñMñTHE›€RELATIONSHIP€BETWEEN€FIRE€AND€AIR€QUALITYó óóóÐ ° ÐÌoà0  àHow€fire€affects€the€quality€of€our€air€depends€on€many€factors,€including€weatherÐ ˆØ Ðconditions,€such€as€wind€speed€and€direction;€atmospheric€stability;€humidity;€the€scopeÏand€severity€of€the€fire;ò ò€ó óand€the€type€and€quantity€of€fuels€burned.€€Smoke€contains€aÐ `° Ðnumber€of€pollutants.€Particulate€matter€in€smoke€is€the€main€pollutant€of€concern€becauseÏit€can€cause€serious€health€problems,€especially€for€people€with€respiratory€illness.€€TheseÏhealth€effects€include€increased€respiratory€symptoms€and€disease,€decreased€lungÏfunction,€and€even€premature€death.€Smoke€also€adversely€affects€the€clarity€of€our€air,Ïwhich€in€turn,€affects€the€distance€and€sharpness€with€which€we€see€objects.€This€is€ofÏparticular€concern€in€national€parks,€forests,€and€wilderness€areas,€where€visibilityÏimpairment€can€block€or€ð ðhazeðð€our€views€and€appreciation€of€scenic€vistas.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àUnplanned€or€unwanted€fires,€such€as€catastrophic€wildfires,€can€pose€serious€threats€toÐ °  Ðpublic€health€and€safety,€as€well€as€to€air€quality.€€Because€these€fires€are€uncontrolled,Ïthey€can€pose€significant€threats€to€the€safety€of€firefighters€and€the€general€public€andÏdestroy€property.€The€intense€or€extended€periods€of€smoke€associated€with€uncontrolledÏfires€can€also€cause€serious€health€problems€and€decrease€visibility.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àPlanned€or€prescribed€fires,€on€the€other€hand,€are€used€to€minimize€the€emissions€andÐ 8ˆ Ðadverse€impacts€of€smoke€on€public€health€and€the€environment.€Many€techniques€are€usedÏto€manage€the€impacts€from€smoke,€including€scheduling€burning€during€favorable€weatherÏconditions€and€controlling€the€amount€of€fuel€and€acreage€burned.€€Some€states€alreadyÏhave€programs€in€place€to€manage€smoke€from€prescribed€fire€activities.€Ð (#(# ÐÌò òòòPROTECTING€PUBLIC€HEALTH€&€AIR€QUALITY:Ð À ÐEPAððS€AIR€QUALITY€STANDARDS€€&€PROGRAM€FOR€REGIONAL€HAZEÌóóó óÌoà0  àThe€Clean€Air€Act€requires€EPA€to€review€(and€revise,€if€necessary)€national€air€qualityÐ „Ô Ðstandards€at€least€once€every€five€years€to€provide€strong€public€health€and€environmentalÏprotection.€After€extensive€scientific€and€public€review,€on€July€18,€1997,€EPA€issued€newÏnational€ambient€air€quality€standards€(NAAQS)€for€ground„level€ozone€and€ð ðfineððÏparticulate€matter€(particles€smaller€than€2.5€micrometers€in€diameter,€or€PMòò2.5óó.)€€EPA€isÐ 4"„  Ðalso€retaining€its€current€NAAQS€for€particulate€matter€(particles€smaller€than€10Ïmicrometers€in€diameter,€or€PMòò10óó),€however€a€more€stable€form€of€the€standard€wasÐ  $\" Ðadopted.€€Ten€micrometers€are€about€one„seventh€the€diameter€of€a€human€hair.òòÐø$H #(#(# ÐóóÌoà0  àEPAððs€updated€standards€represent€a€major€step€forward€in€public€health€protection.€€TheÐ Ð& "% Ðnew€standards€will€protect€125€million€Americans,€including€35€million€children,€from€theÏhealth€hazards€of€air€pollution.€€Each€year,€the€updated€ozone€and€particulate€matterÏstandards€will€prevent€approximately€15,000€premature€deaths,€350,000€cases€ofÏaggravated€asthma,€and€1€million€cases€of€significantly€decreased€lung€function€in€children.€Ð (#(# ÐÐ l+¼&* Ðoà0  àIn€conjunction€with€the€new€national€air€quality€standards€for€ozone€and€particulateÐ ° Ðmatter,€EPA€also€proposed€for€public€comment€a€new€Regional€Haze€Program€to€improveÏvisual€air€quality€across€broad€regions€of€the€nation,€including€150€important€natural€areas,Ïsuch€as€national€parks€and€wilderness€areas€given€special€protection€under€the€Clean€AirÏAct.€€Pollutants€that€cause€haze,€primarily€fine€particles,€can€be€transported€long€distances.€ÏThus,€haze€occurs€regionally€throughout€the€U.S.€€The€EPA€believes€that€the€mostÏeffective€way€to€address€visibility€impairment€is€to€establish€a€regional€haze€program€inÏcombination€with€the€new€standard€for€fine€particulate€matter.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àUnder€the€auspices€of€the€Federal€Advisory€Committee€Act€(FACA),€€EPA€formed€aÐ ü L  Ðsubcommittee€comprised€of€a€wide€range€of€stakeholders,€including€other€FederalÏagencies,€State€and€local€governments,€industry€representatives,€environmental€groups,Ïand€others,€to€develop€a€common„sense€strategy€for€implementing€the€new€ozone€andÏparticulate€matter€air€quality€standards€and€the€Regional€Haze€Program.€€These€threeÏissues€are€being€examined€together€because€of€the€likelihood€that€implementationÏstrategies€for€the€various€programs€could€focus€on€the€same€or€similar€sources€of€airÏpollution.€€EPA€has€developed€an€implementation€package€designed€to€give€States,€Tribes,Ïlocal€governments,€and€business€the€flexibility€they€will€need€to€meet€protective€healthÏstandards€and€requirements€under€the€Regional€Haze€Program€in€a€reasonable,€cost„¼effective€way.€€Ð (#(# ÐÌòòò òWORKING€IN€PARTNERSHIP€TO€DEVELOP€A€NATIONAL€POLICY€ON€WILDLANDÐ  \ ÐAND€PRESCRIBED€FIREÌóóÌó óoà0  àIn€developing€an€implementation€strategy€for€the€new€ozone€and€particulate€matter€airÐ Ð  Ðquality€standards€and€the€new€Regional€Haze€Program,€EPA€and€the€FACA€subcommitteeÏconsidered€a€variety€of€issues,€including€how€best€to€manage€wildland€and€prescribed€fireÏimpacts€(e.g.,€smoke)€on€air€quality€and€visibility.€To€best€address€this€issue,€EPA€workedÏin€partnership€with€Federal€Land€Managers,€including€the€Departments€of€Agriculture,ÏDefense,€and€the€Interior,€State€and€Tribal€air€and€land€management€agencies,€and€others,Ïthrough€a€special€FACA€subcommittee€workgroup,€to€develop€a€national€air€quality€policyÏon€wildland€and€prescribed€fire.€€The€policy€workgroup€examined€how€best€to€allow€theÏincreased€use€of€fire€in€wildland€ecosystems€in€the€context€of€implementing€new€air€qualityÏstandards€for€ozone€and€particulate€matter,€the€new€Regional€Haze€Program,€and€otherÏClean€Air€Act€requirements.€€€€Ð (#(# ÐÌòòò òWHAT€ARE€THE€MAIN€COMPONENTS€OF€THE€POLICY?Ð à%0!$ Ðó óÌóóoà0  àFires€that€occur€in€the€wildlands€(generally€undeveloped€areas€such€as€forests,€grasslands,Ð ¸'#& Ðetc.)€fall€into€two€categories,€(1)€planned€or€prescribed€fires€which€are€purposely€started€toÏmeet€specific€land€management€objectives,€and€(2)€wildland€fires€which€are€all€other€non„¼structural€fires€in€the€wildlands,€including€unwanted€wildfires.€€EPAððs€interim€policy€œñNñÐ (#(# ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà0  àñNñapplies›€to€both€wildland€and€prescribed€fires€that€are€managed€to€benefit€resources€or€theÏenvironment.Ð (#(# ÐòòÌóóoà0  àAir€quality€managers€are€encouraged€to€participate€in€public€land€use€planning€activitiesÐ tÄ Ðwhich€involve€selecting€the€most€appropriate€and€beneficial€methods€for€managing€publicÏlands,€including€the€use€of€fire.€Other€land€management€methods€or€ð ðtreatmentsðð€includeÏð ðmechanicalðð€treatments€(e.g.,€on„site€chipping€or€crushing€of€logging€waste)€andÏð ðchemicalðð€treatments€(e.g.,€herbicides).€€Air€quality€managers€are€urged€to€evaluate€theÏpotential€public€health€and€environmental€impacts€of€fire€and€other€land€managementÏtreatments€to€ensure€that€air€quality€and€visibility€concerns€are€adequately€addressed.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àWildland€owners€and€managers€are€encouraged€to€notify€air€quality€managers€of€plans€toÐ Ô$  Ðsignificantly€increase€their€use€of€fire€on€wildlands;€consider€the€air€quality€and€visibilityÏimpacts€from€smoke€and€take€appropriate€steps€to€minimize€the€impacts;€considerÏalternative€treatments€to€fire,€including€mechanical€and€chemical€treatments;€andÏparticipate€in€planning€and€implementing€State€and€Tribal€smoke€management€programs.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àSmoke€management€programs€provide€a€basic€framework€of€procedures€and€requirementsÐ \¬ Ðfor€managing€smoke€from€prescribed€fires.€Some€states€already€have€smoke€managementÏprograms€in€place.€The€programs€are€usually€developed€by€States€and€Tribes€inÏcooperation€with€land€owners€and€managers.€€EPAððs€Policy€describes€the€elements€of€aÏbasic€smoke€management€program,€including€(1)€a€process€for€granting€approval€toÏconduct€prescribed€burns;€(2)€methods€for€minimizing€air€pollutant€emissions€byÏconsidering€alternative€treatments€and/or€reducing€fuel€levels€before€burning;€(3)€€€€€€€€€€€€Ïoutlining€smoke€management€considerations€for€each€burn,€such€as€burning€only€duringÏfavorable€weather€conditions€to€minimize€smoke€intrusions;€(4)€plans€to€notify€the€publicÏand€reduce€exposure€should€smoke€intrusions€occur;€(5)€public€education€and€awarenessÏprograms;€(6)€surveillance€and€enforcement€procedures€for€ensuring€that€smokeÏmanagement€programs€are€effective;€and€(7)€procedures€for€periodically€evaluating€smokeÏmanagement€programs.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àEPAððs€Policy€provides€incentives€to€States€and€Tribes€to€adopt€and€implement€at€leastÐ D!” Ðbasic€smoke€management€programs.€€While€the€Policy€outlines€the€broad€components€thatÏshould€be€included€in€a€smoke€management€program,€it€gives€States€and€Tribes€theÏflexibility€to€tailor€these€programs€to€meet€their€unique€needs.€The€Policy€does€not€limitÏthe€ability€of€States€or€Tribes€to€regulate€the€use€of€fire.€€If€a€current€smoke€managementÏprogram€is€adequate€to€prevent€fires€from€causing€violations€of€the€NAAQS,€it€does€notÏhave€to€be€changed.€€Also,€EPAððs€Policy€does€not€imply€that€a€stateððs€current€programÏshould€be€relaxed€if€it€has€more€components€or€if€it€is€more€stringent€than€the€basic€smokeÏmanagement€program€outlined€in€this€Policy.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àEPA€will€not€designate€an€area€as€ð ðnonattainmentðð€(areas€that€do€not€meet€EPAððs€nationalÐ |*Ì%) Ðair€quality€standards)€when€prescribed€or€wildland€fires€managed€for€resource€orÐ h+¸&* Ðenvironmental€benefits€cause€or€significantly€contribute€to€violations€of€the€particulateÏmatter€standards€if€a€State€or€Tribe€has€certified€that€they€have€implemented€a€basic€smokeÏmanagement€program.€€Instead,€EPA€will€require€States€or€Tribes€to€review€and€upgradeÏtheir€smoke€management€programs€if€fires€lead€to€a€violation€of€the€particulate€matterÏstandards€(based€on€3€calendar€years€of€air€quality€monitoring€data).€€If€a€second€violationÏoccurs€the€following€year,€States€or€Tribes€must€review€their€programs€again€andÏimplement€stronger€measures.€After€a€third€violation,€mandatory€smoke€managementÏprograms€must€be€adopted€into€State€or€Tribal€Implementation€Plans€(State€or€Tribal€plansÏto€meet€Clean€Air€Act€requirements).€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àStates€or€Tribes€that€have€not€implemented€a€basic€smoke€management€program€will€beÐ è 8  Ðrequired€to€revise€their€implementation€plans€to€include€a€mandatory€smoke€managementÏprogram€if€prescribed€burns€lead€to€violations€of€the€particulate€matter€standards.€In€suchÏcases,€€EPA€will€move€forward€to€redesignate€the€area€in€violation€as€nonattainment.€à0@d!(#(#àòòЬü (#(# ÐÌóóoà0  àAfter€EPAððs€proposed€regional€haze€rule€is€finalized,€States€will€need€to€address€theÐ „Ô  Ðimpacts€of€fires€and€other€sources€on€meeting€reasonable€progress€goals€and€requirementsÏoutlined€in€the€rule.€€EPA€will€revisit€the€regional€haze/visibility€section€of€this€policy€whenÏthe€regional€haze€rule€is€finalized.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àIn€addition,€the€Clean€Air€Act€has€special€requirements€for€actions€conducted€by€FederalÐ  p Ðagencies€that€may€impact€air€quality.€€Federal€agencies€located€in€nonattainment€areasÏmust€ð ðconformðð€or€comply€with€applicable€State€requirements€to€reduce€or€eliminate€theÏseverity€and€number€of€violations€of€national€air€quality€standards.€€Under€EPAððs€Policy,ÏFederal€prescribed€fire€projects€would€be€considered€to€conform€with€the€stateÏimplementation€plan€if€they€are€managed€under€a€certified€basic€smoke€managementÏprogram.€The€program€must€require€regional€coordination€(cooperation€of€all€jurisdictionsÏin€an€airshed)€when€authorizing€fires€and€real„time€air€quality€monitoring€at€sensitiveÏreceptors,€when€warranted,€in€addition€to€the€basic€program€components.€€The€PolicyÏoutlines€the€components€of€a€basic€smoke€management€program.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àThe€Clean€Air€Act€authorizes€States€with€approved€Prevention€of€Significant€DeteriorationÐ D!” Ð(PSD)€programs€to€exclude€particulate€matter€emissions€caused€by€ð ðtemporaryðð€activitiesÏfrom€consuming€increment.€€EPA€expects€the€States,€on€an€individual€basis,€to€decide€theÏextent€to€which€prescribed€fires€(and€the€resulting€emissions€increases)€should€beÏconsidered€ð ðtemporaryðð€sources€of€air€pollution€when€determining€increment€consumptionÏin€specific€areas.€€The€goal€of€the€PSD€program€is€to€prevent€ð ðcleanðð€air€quality€(in€areasÏthat€meet€the€national€air€quality€standards)€from€deteriorating€beyond€certain€amounts€orÏincrements.Ð (#(# ÐÌò òòòFOR€MORE€INFORMATION...ó óóóÐ )à$( ÐÌoà0  àEPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€Fires,€this€fact€sheet€andÐ h+¸&* Ðother€communications€materials€related€to€the€Policy€are€available€on€EPAððs€œAirlinks›Ïwebsite€atòò€œhttp›://œwww.epa.gov›/œairlinks›óó/€and€on€the€Western€States€Resources€CouncilÐ œì Ð(WESTAR)€website€atòò€http://westar.org/proj_frame.htmlóó.€€The€Interim€Policy€€is€alsoÐ ˆØ Ðavailable€for€downloading€from€EPAððs€Office€of€Air€and€Radiation€(OAR)€Policy€andÏGuidance€website€on€EPAððs€Technology€Transfer€Network€(TTN)€atÏòòœhttp›://œwww.epa.gov›/œttn›/œoarpg›/óó€€For€further€information€on€how€to€access€the€bulletinÐ L œ Ðboard,€call€(919)€541„5384.€€For€further€information€about€the€Policy,€contact€Mr.€KenÏWoodard€(919„541„5697)€or€Mr.€Gary€Blais€(919„541„3223)€of€EPAððs€Office€of€AirÏQuality€Planning€and€Standards.Ð (#(# МñOñÌ›ÌñOñ›Ìoà0  àA€wide€range€of€information€on€wildland€fire€and€air€quality€issues€is€available€on€theÐ è 8  ÐInternet€at€the€following€websites:€€€Ð (#(# ÐÌò òEnvironmental€Protection€Agencyððs€Office€of€Air€&€Radiation€homepages:ó óÐ ¬ü  Ðòòhttp://www.epa.gov/airlinks/óóÐ ˜è  Ðà0  à„for€more€information€on€EPAððs€ozone€and€particulate€matter€national€ambient€air€qualityÏstandards€and€the€Regional€Haze€ProgramÐ (#(# ÐÌòòœhttp›://œwww.epa.gov›/oar/œoarhome.html›óóÐ H˜ Ðà  à„for€more€information€on€a€variety€of€air€quality€issues€and€EPA€programsÌÌòòhttp://ttnwww.rtpnc.epa.gov/html/ozpmrh/facahome.htmóó€Ð  \ Ðà0  à„for€further€information€on€the€FACA€process€and€implementation€issues€related€to€EPAððsÏozone€and€particulate€matter€air€quality€standardsÐ (#(# ÐÌœò òWildland›€Fire€and€Forest€Health€Issues€ó óÐ ¼  Ðòòœhttp›://œwww.denendeh.com/flycolor/wildfire/Ð ¨ø Ðhttp://www.nofc.forestry.ca/fire/12:50pmindex.htmlÌhttp://www.fire.ca.gov/index.htmlÌhttp://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/welcome.htmÌhttp://www.csu.edu.au/firenet/firenet.htmlÌhttp://www.firewise.org/Ìhttp://met.rfl.pswfs.gov/forecast.htmlÌhttp://www.fsu.edu/%7Elbrennan/Ìhttp://www.neotecinc.com/wildfire/Ìhttp://www.fs.fed.us/land/wfas/welcome.htm€€€€Ìhttp://fire.r9.fws.govÌhttp://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fireÌhttp://www.nps.gov/fire/ÌÓ  Óhttp://flame.fl-dof.com/Ìhttp://www.nwcg.govÌÌÐ h+¸&* ЇÌóóÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ