Smoke Management

Smoke from fire is one of the biggest sources of pollution emanating from Forest lands. This smoke can pose health, visibility, safety, and nuisance problems. Using satellite transmitted air quality data, we can help fire managers and local health departments alert citizens about the effects of smoke and where it may travel.

Aggressive wildfire suppression during the last century created unexpected side effects. Many ecosystems accumulated unnaturally high densities of vegetation, giving rise to infestations by non-native plants and insects as well as increased susceptibility of native species to disease. It has also made some forest more subject to larger fires than might have occurred had fire burned through more frequently. Federal land managers face the immense challenge of protecting human health and air quality while restoring fire-dependent lands to their more natural conditions. One of the primary tools used to meet this challenge is prescribed fire. Air quality specialists work closely with Forest managers, fire staff and air regulators to accomplish the ecological benefits of burning while minimizing the impacts to neighboring communities, forest visitors, and visibility.For more information visit www.fs.fed.us/fcamms.

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