ÿWPC] £RD$m48×úŒÌçͧ"ÓE¾¢ðe w¨ŽA¯{"'‚Ûp Š'Hš_úW-p9Æ\ÌKí%‡UÂøTaŽ›vDz tð§žzk³cì1þvrYJŠ3W%4«a×ÛÆ‰¯± ¨Ö·ünû5‚T4hNV¼QåˆÔj‹…aq&u3ZóL,Û£HhÖkù‡(Jå™ÛwrúmRâžúxgÉšÕ©¯)rÑïMsëg›kõ°P{e;üeÇ—²¤-3§Ë.S3›é"¾#øÆ·(ÂU-÷Ûü–*ãÞD,q þüÒ÷Ђ]—}ª|NW6Iª_ª8~ÎЗ`™pÂÁi§Âé²÷tbâ •_gß…KÛ  @½=uY·nõXv@êЯ²¢7Çýƒ„#ÿÝøÕüÇ× O%Cõ6 l_Ë͸úØ2G¦èƒá½ ’]‰íç“s’bs6C ãuy `iëÝ((sðÑb¸ã&ÉðP¯ r÷¹•€AãN@÷¨X/ðéÌ5r®€|ò3ÚhÀµ5>?>s…ƒXË7ŒìÌðÁv7c¯x¾µÙ6ÞáP|©Õs.ùÂ󷧤œô´{œ> ±Ì~ë)$óonXŽÞ,U™f}¶(BÚ–žÚÐ@^&!# ÎUNÙ %' 0(-U NUU<£w@ß433 0PBBBBBB’’’’’’’’’’’’’’ Aš 0D˜HP LaserJet 4HPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLLÎ(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡(ÖÃ99Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular%ô\ 9`$Times NewRoman MNODPQERSTDUV‡MQ$3|xV((3/Q$««Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ d Ô yúÿ  <<= 8ÀÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ‡XJçXXXÔÑ7€F~XXdìXXdð7ÑÌÌÌÌÌÌÌMay€1998›ÌÌ€€€€Ô‡¼Bû¼XXJçÔà@©©ìàò òÔ#†XJçX¼¼Bû‡#ÔÔ‡ŠæŠXXJçÔ€Frequently€Asked€Questions€&€Answers:€Wildland€Fire€and€Air€Quality€IssuesÔ#†XJçXŠŠæÞ#ÔÔ‡¼Bû¼XXJçÔó óˆÐ  p  ÐÔ#†XJçX¼¼Bûk#ÔÌòòFire€Questions:óóÐ &v  ÐÔ#†XF~XXXJç#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÌò òQ:à0  àWhat€are€wildlands?ó óÐV (#(# ÐÌA:ÌÌoà0  àGenerally,€ð ðwildland€ecosystemsðð€include€forests,€grasslands€and€shrub€or€brush€lands.Ð Æ ÐThe€term€ð ðwildland,ðð€as€used€in€EPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€andÏPrescribed€Fires,€refers€to€an€area€of€limited€development€having€the€followingÏcharacteristics:ò òЖæ(#(# Ðó óà0  à-à0` (#(#àDevelopment€is€generally€limited€to€roads,€railroads,€power€lines,€and€widelyÐ †Ö Ðscattered€houses€or€other€buildings.Ð ` (#` (# Ðà0  à-à0` (#(#àThe€land€is€not€cultivated€(e.g.,€the€soil€is€disturbed€less€than€once€in€ten€years)€orÐ f¶ Ðfallow.€It€may€be€neglected€altogether€or€managed€for€purposes€such€as€wood€orÏforage€production,€wildlife€management,€recreation,€wetlands,€or€protective€plantÏcover.Ð ` (#` (# Ðà0  à„à0` (#(#àThe€land€is€not€in€the€U.S.€Department€of€Agriculture€(USDA)€ConservationÐ &v ÐReserve€Program.*Ð ` (#` (# ÐÔ#†XF~XXXJç#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÌoà0  àIn€a€separate€forum,€USDA€has€established€the€Agriculture€Air€Quality€Task€Force.€TheÐ ö F ÐTask€Force,€comprised€of€representatives€from€USDA,€EPA,€and€State€and€local€agencies,Ïwill€address€more€specifically€air€quality€issues€related€to€open€burning€on€agriculturalÏlands.Ô#†XF~XXXJç¯#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÐÆ#!(#(# ÐÌ*[USDA€Conservation€Reserve€Program:€€The€program€gives€farmers€an€incentive€to€stopÏgrowing€specific€crops€in€certain€locations€and€to€allow€those€fields€to€remain€fallow.€€TheÏprogram€applies€to€lands€that€are€highly€erodible.€€Farmers€contract€with€the€USDA€to€takeÏspecific€fields€out€of€production€for€a€period€of€time€,€typically€10€years.]ÌÌÌœò òÌÐ 6,†'* ЇQ:›à0  àHow€much€wildland€fire€naturally€occurred€in€the€U.€S.?а(#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àLayers€of€biomass€byproduct€(soot)€examined€in€Greenland€show€that€North€AmericanÐ pÀ Ðwildland€fire€activity€levels€were€relatively€high€for€much€of€the€last€5,000€years.€ÏAnalysis€suggests€that€there€was€about€5„10€times€more€wildland€fire€in€the€United€StatesÏbefore€European€settlement€than€there€is€today.€Fire€suppression€practices€in€the€U.S.Ïhave€resulted€in€the€accumulation€of€flammable€"fuels"€(e.g.,brush,€logs,€etc.€on€forestÏfloors)€in€many€wildland€ecosystems.€Therefore,€if€historic€fire€regimes€were€restored€toÏthe€lands€today€there€would€be€from€to€3€to€6€times€more€area€burned,€consumingÏbetween€4€and€8€times€more€biomass,€and€producing€as€much€as€6€to€9€times€moreÏemissions€from€smoke.€(Urbanization€and€farming€have€significantly€reduced€the€amountÏof€natural€wildlands€in€the€U.S.)à À à€ò òÔ#†XF~XXXJç #ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ô€€Ðà0 (#(# ÐÔ#†XF~XXXJçº #ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÌQ:à0  àœWhat›€œare›€œð ðwildlandðð›€and€œð ðprescribedðð›€fires?ó óÐÀ(#(# ÐÌA:à0  àРð(#(# ÐÌoà0  àA€planned€or€ð ðprescribedðð€fire€is€any€fire€intentionally€ignited€to€meet€specific€landÐ €Ð Ðmanagement€objectives€(e.g.,€to€reduce€flammable€fuels,€such€as€the€accumulation€ofÏbrush,€logs,€etc.€on€forest€floors;€or€to€help€restore€ecosystem€health).€€Prescribed€fires€areÏpre„planned€ignitions,€with€predetermined€boundaries.€€They€are€conducted€only€underÏcertain€weather€conditions€(e.g.,€during€periods€of€low€wind)€when€flame€length€and€heatÏcan€be€controlled.€€Generally,€public€land€managers€must€obtain€approval€of€prescribedÏfire€or€burn€plans€from€applicable€state€agencies€before€conducting€burns.€€Wildland€fires,Ïlike€prescribed€fires,€are€managed€to€benefit€resources€or€the€environment.€€Wildland€firesÏare€usually€ignited€naturally€(i.e.,€by€lightening)€in€areas€where€the€land€use€plan€calls€forÏfire.€€The€wildland€fire€must€meet€a€prescription€and€be€managed€just€like€a€prescribedÏfire.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àAll€applicable€requirements€under€the€National€Environmental€Policy€Act€(NEPA)€mustÐ À! Ðbe€met€on€federal€lands.€€Before€federal€land€management€activities€(e.g.,€trail€building,Ïtimber€harvesting,€use€of€fire,€etc.)€€are€conducted,€€NEPA€requires€that€the€environmentalÏimpacts€of€these€activities€be€analyzed€to€assess€their€impacts€on€cultural€resources,Ïwetlands,€soil,€water€quality,€air€quality,€visibility,€and€other€resources.€Ð (#(# Ðò òÌQ:à0  àHow€has€fire€exclusion€harmed€our€forests€and€grasslands?€Ð`'°"%(#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àSince€the€turn€of€the€century,€fire€has€been€aggressively€suppressed€in€the€nationððs€forestsÐ  +p&) Ðand€grasslands€to€protect€public€safety,€property,€and€natural€and€cultural€resources,€andÐ ,`'* Ðto€prevent€what€was€thought€to€be€the€destruction€of€our€natural€and€cultural€resources.€ÏAll€fires,€whether€started€by€nature€(e.g.,€lightning„caused)€or€by€humans,€wereÏconsidered€bad€because€they€were€thought€to€damage€soil,€impair€water€quality,€threatenÏwildlife,€and€decrease€timber€value.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àBut€the€damaging€effects€of€excluding€fire€were€more€difficult€to€recognize€and€mountedÐ ` ° Ðgradually€and€inconspicuously€over€decades.€€Fire€exclusion€practices€have€resulted€inÏforests,€shrub€lands,€and€grasslands€plagued€with€a€variety€of€problems,€includingÏovercrowding,€resulting€from€the€encroachment€of€species€normally€suppressed€by€fire;Ïvulnerability€of€trees€to€insects€and€disease;€and€inadequate€reproduction€of€certainÏspecies.€€In€addition,€heavy€accumulation€of€fuels€(such€as€dead€vegetation€on€forestsÏfloors)€can€cause€fires€to€be€catastrophic,€which€threaten€firefighter€and€public€safety,Ïimpair€forest€and€ecosystem€health,€and€degrade€air€quality.Ð (#(# Ðò òÌQ:à0  àHow€will€an€increase€in€the€use€of€fire€benefit€ecosystem€health?ÐÐ (#(# Ðó óÌA:ò ò€à0  àó óа(#(# ÐÌoà0  àFire€has€always€been€an€integral€part€of€many€historic€ecosystems.€Ô#†XF~XXXJç#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔFire€is€a€uniqueÐ à Ðecological€process€because€it€simultaneously€heats€(directly€and€indirectly)€theÏsurrounding€environment,€recycles€nutrients,€and€alters€the€structure€of€plantÏcommunities.€The€effects€of€fire€can€retard€or€accelerate€the€natural€development€of€plantÏcommunities,€alter€species€diversity,€change€nutrient€flows,€and€interact€with€otherÏphysical,€chemical,€and€biological€systems.€Thus€for€most€North€American€ecosystems,Ïfire€sustains€functional€ecosystems.ò ò€€€Ð0€(#(# ÐÔ#†XF~XXXJç#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÌQ:à0  àHow€will€an€increase€in€the€use€of€fire€decrease€the€number,€€severity€and€cost€ofÐ ` Ðcatastrophic€wildfires?€Ð (#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àPrescribed€fires€reduce€the€intensity€and€magnitude€of€wildfires€(unwanted€wildland€fires)Ð À! Ðby€reducing€the€accumulation€of€flammable€fuel€(e.g.,€dead€branches,€brush,€needles,Ïleaves)€on€the€forest€floor.€Fire,€used€as€a€land€management€tool,€ð ðthinsðð€out€availableÏfuels,€reducing€the€chance€that€natural/lightening„caused€fires€will€spread€quickly,€overÏlong€distances€and€become€unmanageable.Ô#†XF~XXXJço#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ô€With€the€periodic€application€of€prescribedÐ €%Ð # Ðfire€in€the€future,€the€threat€of€uncontrollable,€catastrophic€wildfires€will€be€reducedÏsignificantly,€helping€to€protect€firefighter€and€public€safety,€property,€and€natural€andÏcultural€resources.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àReducing€the€number€of€catastrophic€wildfires€through€the€increased€use€of€prescribedÐ 0*€%( Ðfire€will€also€lower€costs€to€taxpayers.€€Prescribed€fires€typically€cost€$5€to€$70€per€acre,Ïcompared€to€$650€to€$1,600€an€acre€to€suppress€wildfires€(unwanted€wildland€fires).Ð ,`'* ÐSuppressing€catastrophic€fires€can€require€significant€costs€for€mobilizing€firefighters,€fireÏsuppression€equipment,€including€fire€engines€and€airplanes,€and€fuels€and€supplies.Ð (#(# ÐÌò òQ:à0  àHow€will€the€most€critical€areas€in€need€of€fire€application€be€identified?ЀÐ(#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àSome€wildland€areas€that€are€in€or€near€an€ð ðurban€interfaceðð€(where€houses€and€structuresÐ @  Ðhave€been€built)€may€be€considered€a€priority€for€using€prescribed€fire€because€they€areÏconsidered€at€high€risk€for€wildfires€that€could€become€catastrophic.€Other€areas€will€beÏselected€for€a€variety€of€land€management€purposes,€including€forest€and€ecosystemÏhealth.€An€overgrown„overcrowded€stand€of€evergreens€on€a€mountain€side,€for€example,Ïwould€benefit€from€using€prescribed€fire€to€thin€out€the€stand€of€trees,€which€wouldÏreduce€fuel€build„up€(that€can€lead€to€catastrophic€wildfires),€help€create€a€healthierÏecosystem,€and€over€time,€improve€the€aesthetic€beauty€of€the€landscape.ò òÐÐ (#(# Ðó óÌò òÌQ:à0  àAre€there€viable€alternatives€to€the€use€of€prescribed€fire?Рð(#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àMechanical€treatments€may€be€appropriate€land€management€tools€under€certainÐ `° Ðcircumstances.€Mechanical€treatments€can€include€selective€cutting,€thinning€or€pruningÏof€trees,€and€other€methods€to€remove€branches€or€small€trees€(called€biomass)€from€theÏwildlands.€In€some€areas€prescribed€fire€cannot€be€used€safely€and€effectively€withoutÏfirst€removing€some€portion€(excess)€of€the€fuel€loading€(e.g.,€logs,€brush,€and€branches)Ïwith€mechanical€methods.Ô#†XF~XXXJç #ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ô€€For€example,€mechanical€treatments€may€be€used€to€reduceÐ ` Ðfuel€density€in€wildland/urban€interface€areas€(e.g.,€residential€areas€located€near€naturalÏareas€that€are€at€high€risk€for€wildfires)€to€reduce€hazard.€Also,€logging€waste€materialsÏ(slash)€may€be€removed€to€prepare€a€site€for€replanting€or€natural€regeneration.€ExactlyÏwhen€and€how€mechanical€removal€is€used€depends€on€local€conditions.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àIn€many€cases,€however,€mechanical€treatments€cannot€replace€the€use€of€prescribed€fireÐ °"  Ðfor€restoring€ecosystem€health.Ô#†XF~XXXJçR)#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ô€Certain€plant€communities€(such€as€the€CaliforniaÐ  #ð! Ðchaparral)€are€dependent€on€fire€for€regeneration.€€In€addition,€fire€releases€importantÏnutrients€into€the€soil€that€enable€trees€and€plants€to€grow€healthy,€with€less€susceptibilityÏto€disease€and€insect€infestation.€€In€addition,€mechanical€treatments€are€not€an€option€inÏwilderness€areas€and€other€areas€where€there€are€no€access€to€roads€to€allow€equipmentÏonto€a€site.€€Some€wildland€areas€are€also€inaccessible€to€mechanical€treatments€becauseÏof€the€severity€of€their€slopes.€Certain€equipment€will€not€function€properly€on€very€steepÏhills€and€slopes.€€Except€for€commercial€timber,€mechanical€treatments€may€also€haveÏsignificant€economic€limitations.€Ô#†XF~XXXJçé+#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÐ +p&)(#(# ÐòòÐ ,`'* Ðóóoò òà0  àó óIn€some€situations,€chemical€treatments€(e.g.,€herbicides€or€pesticides)€may€provide€aÐ ° Ðviable€alternative€for€managing€wildland€vegetation.€€When€land€management€goals€callÏfor€precluding,€reducing,€or€removing€live€vegetation€and/or€specific€species€from€a€site,Ïchemical€treatment€may€be€an€appropriate€tool.€€However,€there€is€the€potential€that€theÏuse€of€chemical€treatments€could€degrade€water€quality,€injure€wildlife,€or€hurt€speciesÏnot€intended€for€treatment.òòÐ` °(#(# ÐÌœAir›€Questions:óóÐ @  ÐÌQ:ò òà0  àWhat€is€the€relationship€between€fire€and€air€quality?ó óÐ p (#(# ÐÌA:ÌÌoà0  àFires€occur€naturally€in€the€wildlands€and€are€one€of€the€many€natural€sources€ofÐ à0  Ðparticulate€matter€(tiny€particles€such€as€dust,€soot,€etc.)€€Particulate€matter€is€the€mainÏpollutant€of€concern€from€smoke€because€it€can€cause€serious€health€problems,€especiallyÏfor€people€with€respiratory€illness.€These€health€effects€include€increased€respiratoryÏsymptoms€and€disease,€decreased€lung€function,€and€even€premature€death.€Smoke€canÏalso€adversely€affect€the€clarity€(visual€range)€of€our€air.€This€is€of€particular€concern€inÏnational€parks,€forests,€and€wilderness€areas,€where€visibility€impairment€can€block€orÏð ðhazeðð€our€views€and€appreciation€of€scenic€vistas.€Wildland€fire€is€also€part€of€theÏnatural€ecological€process€of€many€ecosystems.€€Without€wildland€fires€the€ecologicalÏhealth€of€many€national€parks,€forests,€and€wilderness€areas€will€decline.€In€recognition€ofÏthe€serious€problems€caused€by€past€land€management€practices,€Federal€Land€ManagersÏhave€recently€endorsed€the€increased€use€of€fire€as€a€resource€management€tool€forÏecosystem€health.Ô#†XF~XXXJç /#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ԀРp(#(# ÐÌoà0  àWildfires€(unwanted€wildland€fires)€can€pose€significant€safety€threats€to€firefighters€andÐ P Ðthe€general€public,€and€destroy€property€and€natural€and€cultural€resources.€The€intense€orÏextended€periods€of€smoke€associated€with€wildfires€can€also€cause€serious€health€effectsÏand€significantly€decrease€visibility.€€Years€of€aggressive€fire€suppression€practices€haveÏresulted€in€forests€and€rangelands€that€have€heavy€accumulations€of€fuel€that€can€lead€toÏcatastrophic€wildfires.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àSmoke€management€techniques€are€used€during€prescribed€fires€to€minimize€the€impactsÐ $à" Ðfrom€smoke€on€public€health€and€the€environment.€€Ô#†XF~XXXJç6#ÔThese€techniques€include€schedulingÐ €%Ð # Ðburns€during€favorable€weather€conditions€that€allow€for€good€smoke€dispersal€andÏlimiting€the€amount€of€land€burned€at€one€time.€Each€prescribed€burn€site€will€haveÏunique€characteristics,€but€in€general,€smoke€impacts€can€be€greatly€minimized€byÏburning€during€weather€conditions€that€provide€optimal€humidity€levels€and€windÏconditions€for€the€type€of€materials€being€burned,€in€addition€to€limiting€the€amount€ofÏmaterials€and€acreage€burned€at€one€time.€Ð (#(# ÐÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÐ ,X'* ÐÔ#†XF~XXXJçÊ;#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÌœò òÌÌQ:›à0  àWhat€are€the€sources€of€particulate€matter?ЀÐ(#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àParticulate€matter€is€comprised€of€ð ðfineðð€particles€(those€less€than€2.5€microns€inÐ @  Ðdiameter„„or€PMòò2.5óó)€and€ð ðcoarseðð€particles€(those€less€than€10€microns€in€diameter„„orÐ 0 € ÐPMòò10óó).€Ten€micrometers€is€about€one„seventh€the€diameter€of€a€human€hair.€TheÐ  p  Ðcomposition€and€sources€of€PMòò2.5óó€and€PMòò10óó€are€very€different.€€Fine€particles€result€fromÐ `  Ðfuel€combustion€(from€motor€vehicles,€power€plants,€industrial€boilers),€and€woodÏcombustion€(from€€residential€fireplaces€and€woodstoves,€wildland€fires,€and€agriculturalÏburning.)€€Fine€particles€can€also€be€formed€in€the€atmosphere€from€gases€such€as€sulfurÏdioxide,€nitrogen€oxides,€and€volatile€organic€compounds.€PM€òò2.5óó€is€a€major€component€ofÐ Ð  Ðsmoke€from€fires.€Coarse€particles€are€generally€emitted€from€sources€such€as€windblownÏdust,€vehicles€traveling€on€unpaved€roads,€materials€handling,€and€crushing€and€grindingÏoperations.€€Ð (#(# Ðò òÌQ:à0  àWhy€did€EPA€recently€update€its€national€air€quality€standards€for€ozone€andÐ €Ð Ðparticulate€matter.Ð (#(# ÐÌó óA:à0  àÐP (#(# ÐÌoà0  àIn€July€1997,€EPA€revised€the€existing€national€air€quality€standards€for€ozone€andÐ 0€ Ðparticulate€matter,€and€adopted€a€new€standard€for€fine€particles.€€The€scientific€reviewÏprocess€determined€that€the€ð ðoldðð€standards€did€not€adequately€protect€public€health.€€ForÏozone,€€longer€term€exposures€can€cause€significant€health€effects,€including€asthmaÏattacks,€breathing€and€respiratory€problems,€loss€of€lung€function,€and€possible€long„termÏlung€damage€and€lowered€disease€immunity.€€For€particulate€matter,€exposures€to€smallerÏsized€particles€(PMòò2.5óó)€can€cause€premature€deaths,€increased€respiratory€symptoms€andÐ Ð  Ðdisease€(especially€for€children€and€individuals€with€asthma),€decreased€lung€function,Ïand€other€serious€respiratory€problems.€Ð (#(# Ðò òÌQ:à0  àWhat€are€the€public€health€benefits€associated€with€the€new€ozone€and€particulateÐ $à" Ðmatter€standards?Ð (#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àEPAððs€new€ozone€standard€provides€significant€health€benefits,€especially€for€children.€Ð @)$' ÐThe€new€standard€will€prevent€approximately€1€million€incidences€per€year€of€significantÏdecreases€in€childrenððs€lung€function€that€can€limit€a€healthy€childððs€activity€or€increaseÏmedical€treatment€for€children.€€The€new€standards€will€reduce€the€risk€of€hospitalÐ ,`'* Ðadmissions€and€emergency€room€visits€for€children€and€others€with€asthma€and€otherÏrespiratory€problems.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àEPAððs€new€particulate€matter€standards€will€prevent€approximately€15,000€prematureÐ €Ð Ðdeaths€per€year.€€They€will€prevent€hundreds€of€thousands€of€cases€of€aggravated€asthmaÏin€children€and€adults.€€Asthma€is€now€the€leading€chronic€illness€among€children.€€TheÏstandards€will€also€reduce€the€risk€of€thousands€of€hospital€admissions€and€emergencyÏroom€visits€among€the€elderly€and€those€with€heart€and€lung€disease.€Ð (#(# ÐÌœò òQ:›à0  àHow€will€Federal€and€State€Agencies€ensure€public€health€and€environmentalÐ  p  Ðprotection€when€using€prescribed€fires?Ð (#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àPrescribed€fires€are€used€at€certain€times€of€year€and€under€certain€circumstances€toÐ Ð  Ðmanage€wildland€ecosystems.€€Most€other€sources€(such€as€cars€and€industrial€sources),€inÏcontrast,€yield€continuous€emissions€of€particulate€matter.€€Unlike€wildfires€(e.g.,Ïunplanned€wildland€fires),€prescribed€fires€can€be€ignited€when€weather€and€otherÏconditions€are€most€favorable€to€minimize€the€impacts€of€smoke€on€communities.€ManyÏFederal€and€state€land€managers€use€smoke€management€techniques€to€mitigate€the€smokeÏimpacts€from€prescribed€fires.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àÔ#†XF~XXXJç!<#ÔSmoke€management€techniques€include€scheduling€burns€during€favorable€weatherÐ P  Ðconditions€that€allow€for€good€smoke€dispersal€and€limiting€the€amount€of€land€burned€atÏone€time.€Each€prescribed€burn€site€will€have€unique€characteristics,€but€in€general,Ïsmoke€impacts€can€be€greatly€minimized€by€burning€during€weather€conditions€thatÏprovide€optimal€humidity€levels€and€wind€conditions€for€the€type€of€materials€beingÏburned,€in€addition€to€limiting€the€amount€of€materials€and€acreage€burned€at€one€time.€Ð (#(# ÐÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ôò òÌQ:à0  àWhat€is€EPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€Fires?ó óÐÜ,(#(# ÐÌA:ÌÌoà0  àThe€U.S.€Environmental€Protection€Agency€(EPA)€worked€in€partnership€with€landÐ œ#ì! Ðmanagement€agencies€in€the€U.S.€Departments€of€Agriculture,€Defense,€and€the€Interior,€ÏState€Foresters,€State€air€regulators,€and€others€to€obtain€recommendations€and€develop€aÏnational€policy.€The€Policy€addresses€how€best€to€improve€the€quality€of€wildlandÏecosystems€(including€forests€and€grasslands)€and€reduce€threats€of€catastrophic€wildfiresÏthrough€the€increased€use€of€managed€fire,€while€achieving€national€clean€air€goals.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àThe€Wildland€Fire/Air€Quality€Policy€Workgroup€developed€recommended€criteria€forÐ ,*|%( Ðland€managers€and€State€and€Tribal€air€pollution€agencies€to€use€in€planning€for€andÏimplementing€prescribed€fires.€€The€Interim€Policy€also€recommends€a€variety€of€smokeÐ  ,\'* Ðmanagement€techniquesÔ#†XF~XXXJçàN#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ô€that€land€managers€can€use€to€help€reduce€smoke€impacts€fromÐ ° Ðprescribed€fires€to€the€maximum€extent€possible.Ð (#(# ÐÔ#†XF~XXXJç+S#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÌoà0  àEPAððs€Interim€Policy€provides€incentives€to€States€and€Tribes€to€adopt€and€implementÐ €Ð Ðprograms€to€minimize€the€public€health€and€environmental€impacts€of€smoke€fromÏprescribed€fire,€while€providing€the€flexibility€to€tailor€these€programs€to€meet€uniqueÏState€and€Tribal€needs.€€Ð (#(# ÐÔ#†XF~XXXJçT#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÌò òQ:à0  àHow€does€EPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€FiresÐ 0 € Ðrelate€to€EPAððs€implementation€strategy€for€the€new€national€air€quality€standardsÏfor€ozone€and€particulate€matter,€and€the€proposed€new€Regional€Haze€Program?Ð (#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àIn€July€1997,€EPA€issued€revised€national€air€quality€standards€for€ozone€and€particulateÐ Ð  Ðmatter,€including€a€new€standard€for€fine€particles,€and€proposed€a€new€Regional€HazeÏprogram€for€public€comment.€In€developing€an€implementation€strategy€for€the€newÏozone€and€particulate€matter€air€quality€standards€and€the€Regional€Haze€Program,€EPAÏformed€a€subcommittee€under€the€auspices€of€the€Federal€Advisory€Committee€ActÏ(FACA)€to€get€input€from€a€wide€range€of€stakeholders€on€how€best€to€develop€cost„¼effective€and€flexible€implementation€programs.€The€Ozone,€Particulate€Matter,€andÏRegional€Haze€subcommittee€was€comprised€of€representatives€from€industry,€academia,ÏStates,€environmental€groups,€other€Federal€agencies,€and€other€stakeholders.€€€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àEPA€formed€a€special€FACA€subcommittee€workgroup€to€address€more€specifically€theÐ 0€ Ðpotential€impacts€of€wildland€fire€(i.e.,€particulate€matter€emissions€from€smoke)€on€airÏquality€and€visibility€impairment.€€This€workgroup€(The€Wildland€Fire/Air€QualityÏWorkgroup)€developed€a€national€policy€recommendation€to€EPA€that€provides€guidanceÏto€State€air€agencies€and€land€managers€on€how€best€to€allow€the€increased€use€of€fire€inÏwildland€ecosystems€in€the€context€of€implementing€new€air€quality€standards€for€ozoneÏand€particulate€matter,€as€well€as€meeting€national€visibility€goals€under€the€proposedÏRegional€Haze€Program.€€€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àEPA€will€continue€to€work€with€this€interagency€group€to€assure€compatibility€betweenÐ  #ð! Ðfire€and€air€quality€programs€consistent€with€public€health,€safety,€and€environmentalÏprotection.€Ð (#(# Ðò òÌQ:à0  àHow€does€the€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€Fires€relate€toÐ `'°"% ÐEPAððs€proposed€Regional€Haze€Program?Ð (#(# ÐÌó óA:à0  àÐ0*€%((#(# ÐÌoà0  àThe€Clean€Air€Act€requires€EPA€to€protect€visibility€in€national€parks€and€certainÐ ,`'* Ðwilderness€areas€(ð ðClass€Iðð€Areas.)€€The€goal€of€the€visibility€program€is€to€reduceÏimpairment€due€to€human„made€air€pollution.€EPA€has€long€recognized€that€smoke€fromÏfire€can€have€a€significant€impact€on€visibility.€€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àIn€conjunction€with€EPAððs€new€air€quality€standards€for€ozone€and€particulate€matter,€inÐ pÀ ÐJuly€1997,€EPA€proposed€for€public€comment€a€new€Regional€Haze€program€to€improveÏvisual€air€quality€in€more€than€150€important€natural€areas€across€the€United€States.€€HazeÏobscures€the€clarity,€color,€texture,€and€form€of€what€we€see€and€is€caused€by€pollutantsÏ(mostly€fine€particles€less€than€PMòò2.5óó)€that€are€emitted€from€a€wide€range€of€sources,Ð 0 € Ðincluding€power€plants,€motor€vehicles,€and€burning€on€agricultural€lands€and€wildlands.€€ÏPollutants€that€cause€haze€can€be€transported€long€distances.€Thus,€haze€occurs€regionallyÏthroughout€the€nation.€€EPA€believes€that€the€most€effective€way€to€address€visibilityÏimpairment€is€to€establish€a€regional€haze€program€in€combination€with€the€new€standardsÏfor€particulate€matter.Ð (#(# ÐÌÔ#†XF~XXXJçšU#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ôoà0  àEPAððs€Interim€Policy€recommends€a€variety€of€smoke€management€techniques€for€landÐ À Ðmanagers€to€use€to€help€reduce€smoke€impacts€from€prescribed€fire€to€the€maximumÏextent€possible.Ô#†XF~XXXJç½c#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ôò ò€€ó óSmoke€management€techniques€are€used€to€help€avoid€impairingÐ  ð Ðvisibility€in€Class€I€areas.Ô#†XF~XXXJçÖd#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ôò òÐà(#(# Ðó óÔ#†XF~XXXJçe#ÔÌoà0  àOnce€the€Regional€Haze€Program€is€finalized,€EPA€will€revisit€the€section€of€the€InterimÐ l¼ ÐAir€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€Fires€that€pertains€to€the€impact€ofÏwildland€and€prescribed€fires€on€visibility€and€regional€haze.Ô‡XJçXXXF~Ôò òÐD”(#(# ÐÌQ:à0  àHow€does€EPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€FiresÐ  p Ðaddress€the€impacts€of€the€increased€use€of€prescribed€fire€on€other€Clean€Air€ActÏrequirements?Ð (#(# ÐÌA:ó óÐ à0 ÐÌoà0  àIn€addition€to€the€national€air€quality€standards€for€ozone€and€particulate€matter€and€theÐ À  Ðproposed€Regional€Haze€Program,€the€increased€use€of€prescribed€fire€may€impact€otherÏClean€Air€Act€requirements.€The€Workgroup€that€developed€EPAððs€Interim€PolicyÏexamined€how/if€increased€emissions€from€prescribed€fires€may€impact€requirements€forÏthe€Prevention€of€Significant€Deterioration€(PSD)€program€and€Conformity€requirementsÏfor€Federal€agencies.€€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àòòConformityóó€„Ô#†XF~XXXJçg#ÔThe€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.€€œIn€addition€to€theñNñÏexistingñNñ€ñMññLñpreviously€cited€ñLññMñmethods€for€demonstrating€conformity€of€Federal€fire€projects,€EPA€will€pursue,Ïin€consultation€with€the€other€Federal€agencies,€adding€an€alternative€method€to€theÐ ,P'* ÐGeneral€Conformity€rules€through€rulemaking.€ñOñUnder›€EPAððs›€Interim›€Policy,ñOññQññPñhe€ñPññQññRñ€ñRññSñUnder€ñSññTññRñTñRññTññUñtñUññRñhe€proposed€alternative€methodñRññVñ,ñVñ›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 (#(# ÐÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÌoà0  àòòPSD€óó„Ô#†XF~XXXJç¼o#Ô€The€Clean€Air€Act€authorizes€States€with€approved€PSD€programs€to€excludeÐ  d Ðparticulate€matter€emissions€caused€by€ð ðtemporaryðð€activities€from€consuming€increment.€ÏEPA€expects€the€States,€on€an€individual€basis,€to€decide€the€extent€to€which€prescribedÏfires€(and€the€resulting€emissions€increases)€should€be€considered€ð ðtemporaryðð€sources€ofÏair€pollution€when€determining€increment€consumption€in€specific€areas.€€The€goal€of€theÏPSD€program€is€to€prevent€ð ðcleanðð€air€quality€(in€areas€that€meet€the€national€air€qualityÏstandards)€from€deteriorating€beyond€certain€amounts€or€incrementsÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ôа (#(# ÐÔ#†XF~XXXJçŠr#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ôò òÌQ:à0  àCan€the€use€of€prescribed€fire€increase€substantially€nationwide€without€causingÐ ŒÜ Ðviolations€of€EPAððs€national€air€quality€standards€for€particulate€matter.Ð (#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àEPA€believes€that€the€amount€of€prescribed€burning,€conducted€under€smokeÐ <Œ Ðmanagement€programs,€can€be€increased€substantially€without€causing€violations€of€theÏair€quality€standards€for€particulate€matter.€€Smoke€management€programs€includeÏtechniques€to€minimize€emissions€including,€scheduling€burning€during€favorableÏweather€conditions€(e.g.,€during€periods€of€low€wind€when€flame€length€and€heat€can€beÏcontrolled),€controlling€types€of€ignitions,€and€controlling€the€time€period€of€burning.€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àEPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€Fires€outlines€the€criteriaÐ Ì Ðfor€basic€smoke€management€programs€to€promote€consistency€in€fire€managementÏplanning€among€the€States€and€Tribes€and€to€help€ensure€that€Clean€Air€Act€requirementsÏare€met.€€€EPAððs€Interim€Policy€allows€States€and€Tribes€to€build€upon€or€tailor€existingÏor€new€smoke€management€programs€to€meet€their€unique€needs.Ð (#(# ÐÌò òQ:à0  àHow€does€EPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€FiresÐ l$¼" Ðrelate€to€EPAððs€Natural€Events€Policy?ó óÐ\%¬ #(#(# ÐÌò òA:ó óÐ <'Œ"% ÐÌoà0  àImpacts€on€the€current€PMòò10óó€(denoting€particles€less€than€10€micrometers€in€diameter)Ð )l$' Ðnational€air€quality€standards€caused€by€wildfires€(unwanted€wildland€fires)€are€addressedÏin€a€policy€statement€issued€by€EPA€in€May€1996,€regarding€òòAreas€Affected€by€PM„10Ð ü*L&) ÐNatural€Eventsóó€(subsequently€referred€to€as€the€PMòò10óó€Natural€Events€Policy).€Ðì+<'*(#(# Їoà0  àEPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€Fires€applies€to€all€otherÐ ° Ðtypes€of€wildland€and€prescribed€fires,€regardless€of€the€source€of€ignition.Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àThe€PMòò10óó€Natural€Events€Policy€provides€that€EPA:€(1)€will€not€redesignate€an€area€asÐ €Ð Ðð ðnonattainmentðð€(areas€out€of€compliance€with€the€PMòò10óó€standard)€if€the€State€developsÐ pÀ Ðand€implements€a€plan€to€respond€to€the€health€impacts€of€wildfires€that€are€consideredÏð ðnatural€events;ðð€and€(2)€will€discount€exceedances€of€the€PMòò10óó€standard€whenÐ P   Ðredesignating€a€nonattainment€area€to€ð ðattainmentðð€status€if€the€exceedances€resulted€fromÏan€uncontrollable€natural€event€(i.e.,€a€wildfire.)€EPAððs€PMòò10óó€Natural€Events€PolicyÐ 0 € Ðoutlines€measures€States€and€Tribes€must€take€to€respond€to€the€health€impacts€of€naturalÏevents,€including€wildfires.€Ð (#(# Ðò òÌó óoà0  àIn€the€near€future,€EPA€will€update€the€Natural€Events€Policy€to€address€the€new€fineÐ ð@  Ðparticulate€matter€standard€(PMòò2.5óó)€and€the€revised€PMòò10óó€standard,€and€incorporate€theÐ à0  Ðnew€definitions€of€wildland€fire€and€prescribed€fire€adopted€by€the€Departments€ofÏAgriculture€and€the€Interior.€Ð (#(# ÐÌò òQ:à0  àHow€does€EPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€FiresÐ  ð Ðrelate€to€the€Grand€Canyon€Visibility€Transport€Commission€recommendations?ó óÐà(#(# ÐÌA:ÌÌoà0  àEPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€Fires€is€consistent€with€theÐ P  Ðfire„related€recommendations€of€the€Grand€Canyon€Visibility€Transport€CommissionÏ(GCVTC).€Ô#†XF~XXXJçër#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔÐ0€(#(# ÐÌoà0  àCongress€created€the€GCVTC€in€1991,€under€the€authority€of€the€Clean€Air€ActÐ ` ÐAmendments€of€1990,€to€advise€EPA€on€strategies€for€protecting€visual€air€quality€atÏnational€parks€and€wilderness€areas€on€the€Colorado€plateau.€€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àThe€GCVTC€issued€a€report€and€recommendations€to€EPA€in€June€1996.€€The€GCVTCððsÐ Ð  Ðreport€included€specific€recommendations€with€regard€to€the€use€of€prescribed€fire€as€itÏrelates€to€regional€visibility€affecting€16€national€parks€and€wilderness€areas€in€theÏColorado€Plateau.€The€Commission€recognized€that€fire€plays€a€significant€role€inÏvisibility€on€the€Plateau.€€It€also€recognized€that€land€managers€have€proposed€aÏsignificant€increase€in€prescribed€fire€programs€aimed€at€correcting€the€buildup€of€fuelÏdue€to€the€effects€of€decades€of€fire€suppression.€€The€Commission€recommended€theÏimplementation€of€programs€to€minimize€emissions€and€visibility€impacts€from€the€use€ofÏprescribed€fire.€€These€recommendations€included€a€multi„stakeholder€effort€to€developÏand€implement€enhanced€smoke€management€programs;€the€development€of€cooperativeÏfunding€mechanisms€among€agencies€to€pay€for€increased€smoke€management€programsÏand€integrated€assessment€efforts;€and€the€promotion€of€€public€education€programs.€Ð (#(# ÐÐ ,`'* Ðò òQ:à0  àHow€does€EPAððs€Interim€Air€Quality€Policy€on€Wildland€and€Prescribed€FiresÐ 0*€%( Ðrelate€to€agricultural€burning?ó óÐ +p&)(#(# ÐÐ ,`'* ÐA:ÌÌoà0  àEPA's€Interim€Policy€only€addresses€fires€on€wildlands.€€Wildland€ecosystems€generallyÐ à Ðinclude€forests,€shrub€or€brush€lands,€and€grasslands.€Specifically,€ð ðwildlandðð€is€definedÏas€an€area€where€development€is€generally€limited€to€roads,€railroads,€power€lines€andÏwidely€scattered€structures€or€buildings.€The€land€is€not€cultivated€or€fallow€and€is€not€inÏthe€USDA€Conservation€Reserve€Program.€Wildlands€may€be€neglected€altogether€orÏmanaged€for€such€purposes€as€wood€or€forage€production,€wildlife,€recreation,€wetlands,Ïor€protective€plant€cover.€€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àIn€a€separate€forum,€the€U.S.€Department€of€Agriculture€has€established€the€AgricultureÐ `  ÐAir€Quality€Task€Force.€EPA€is€an€active€participant€in€the€Task€Force.€The€Task€ForceÏhas€unanimously€endorsed€a€listing€of€high€priority€research€needs€to€improve€the€level€ofÏunderstanding€of€the€impact€of€agriculture€on€air€quality€levels.Ô#†XF~XXXJçÀ#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~Ô€On€February€25,€1998,Ð à0  Ðthe€U.S.€Department€of€Agriculture€and€EPA€announced€a€Memorandum€ofÏUnderstanding€(MOU)€to€ensure€that€the€two€agencies€work€together€to€provide€a€healthyÏenvironment€with€clean€air€in€harmony€with€a€strong€agriculturally€productive€nation.€TheÏMOU€establishes€a€framework€for€the€two€agencies€to€share€expertise€and€a€process€forÏinvolving€the€agricultural€community€in€a€cooperative€effort€to€address€agriculture-relatedÏair€quality€issues,€including€emissions€from€agricultural€burning.Ô#†XF~XXXJç‹#ÔÔ‡XJçXXXF~ÔЀÐ(#(# ÐÓ XÓÓ ¨ýÓÌoà0  àÔ#†XF~XXXJçh#ÔEPA€will€work€with€the€taskforce€to€refine€the€distinction€between€wildland€fires,€whichÐ `° Ðare€covered€by€the€Interim€Policy,€and€agricultural€burning.Ô‡XJçXXXF~ÔÐ`°(#(# ÐÌò òQ:à0  àHow€much€will€the€use€of€prescribed€fire€increase€over€the€next€10„20€years€onÐ <Œ ÐFederal€lands?€What€areas€will€likely€see€the€largest€increase€in€the€use€of€managedÏfire?Ð (#(# Ðó óÌA:ÌÌoà0  àFederal€wildlands€are€managed€by€the€following€agencies:€the€U.S.€Forest€Service;€theÐ Ü , ÐBureau€of€Land€Management;€the€National€Park€Service;€the€Fish€and€Wildlife€Service;Ïand€the€Bureau€of€Indian€Affairs.€The€historic€estimate€of€prescribed€fire€use€on€FederalÏwildlands€(from€1984„1994)€for€the€primary€purpose(s)€of€reducing€fuel€and€theÏassociated€risk€of€catastrophic€wildfires€and/or€for€ecosystem€health€is€662,000€acres€(forÏall€agencies€combined.)€Ð (#(# ÐÌoà0  àBecause€of€the€increase€in€fuel€buildup€on€wildlands,€which€has€contributed€to€theÐ l'¼"% Ðincrease€in€catastrophic€wildfires€over€the€past€two€decades,€Federal€land€managementÏagencies€will€increase€their€use€of€prescribed€fire€and€other€treatment€techniques€to€reduceÏfuel€loadings€and€restore€ecosystem€health.€€By€2000,€the€Forest€Service,€for€example,Ïplans€to€burn€approximately€2€million€acres€annually€in€areas€that€are€most€at€risk€forÏwildland€fires€and/or€where€prescribed€fires€will€yield€the€most€benefit€for€ecosystemÐ ,l'* Ðhealth.€All€total,€the€five€Federal€land€management€agencies€intend€to€apply€prescribedÏfire€to€approximately€5.1€million€acres€annually€by€2005.€€High€priority€areas€includeÏwildland/urban€interface€areas€where€houses€and€other€structures€are€located€nearÏwildlands€(in€rural€areas€or€in€the€midst€of€forests).€Prescribed€fire€will€also€be€used€inÏfire„adapted€ecosystems€that€have€suffered€from€the€effects€of€fire€suppression€practicesÏand€the€subsequent€fuel€buildup.€€These€include€the€long„needle€pine€forests€in€theÏsoutheast€and€the€mountain€shrub€and€ponderosa€pine€forests€in€the€west.€€€Fire€helpsÏmaintain€the€health€and€stability€of€these€ecosystems.€òòÐ@ (#(# ÐóóÌoà0  àAs€the€build„up€of€fuel€is€reduced€in€Federal€wildlands€through€prescribed€fires€and€otherÐ  p  Ðtechniques,€emissions€of€smoke€from€future€prescribed€fires€will€continue€to€decrease.Ð (#(# ÐÌÌBackground:€Federal€land€management€agencies€have€jurisdiction€over€the€following€areas:Ìà0  àForest€Service:à0(#(#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#à191€million€acresÐÐ À(#À(# Ðà  àBureau€of€Land€Management:à0 À à267€million€acresÐÀÀ(#À(# Ðà0  àNational€Park€Service:à0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#à80€million€acresаÀ(#À(# Ðà0  àFish€and€Wildlife€Service:à0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#à92€million€acresРðÀ(#À(# Ðà  àBureau€of€Indian€Affairs:à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#à62€million€acres€in€trustÐàÀ(#À(# ÐÌÌÔ#†XF~XXXJ眎#Ô