FIRE EFFECTS GUIDE - National Wildfire Coordinating Group

that identifies smoke management monitoring techniques and
frequencies is provided in USDI-NPS (1992). The following are some
practical procedures for monitoring and modelling smoke.
1. Visual Techniques.
a. Visual estimation. Visual estimation is the most common smoke
monitoring method in use. Although most visual methods are subjective
and limited, they are still very useful. When burning near smoke
sensitive areas, a spotter on a hill away from the fire can watch where
the smoke goes and relay information to the Burn Boss.
b. Aircraft tracking. Aircraft tracking of smoke plumes can be used to
verify the source and trajectory of the smoke. It is used by some
regulatory agencies to detect violations of air quality/smoke
management regulations. This procedure provides a means to observe
the loading of the airshed and to determine if additional burning should
be limited.
2. Instrumentation.
a. Nephelometer. A nephelometer is an electronic device that
measures the amount of particulate in a sample of air. This optical
device measures the amount of light reflected from particles in the
enclosed sample space. A nephelometer can be useful for safety
monitoring, such as by measuring the amount of smoke on a highway.
The machine could be programmed to flash lights as a warning when
visibility is poor.
b. Filter sampler. Filter samplers draw a known volume of air through a
filter. The filter is weighed before and after the sampling period, and the
weight of particulate per volume of air can be calculated.
3. Computer Models.
a. SASEM. The Simple Approach Smoke Estimation Model (SASEM) is
a screening model developed by the Bureau of Land Management and
approved by the States of Wyoming and Arizona for estimating smoke
impacts from prescribed fires. This model calculates emissions, and
uses the emission figure to calculate down-wind concentrations of
particulates. Estimated particulate loadings are compared quantitatively