While prescribed fires have proven to be very successful in creating the conditions necessary for healthy forests and rangelands, there is a troublesome side effect. It is smoke. To ensure smoke dispersion, atmospheric conditions are closely monitored before prescribed fires are ignited. Yet even in favorable conditions, the air will still become smoky. Often, although the air is smoky, it still meets federal and state air quality standards.
To ensure that air quality meets federal and state standards while prescribed fires are being conducted, public land managers and regulatory agencies in Idaho and Montana have formed a partnership, known as the "Montana/Idaho State Airshed Group."
Before prescribed fires are ignited, public land managers in Idaho and Montana submit their plans to the Montana/Idaho State Airshed Group meteorologist. The meteorologist reviews weather conditions and determines which prescribed fires can be ignited and which, if any, must be delayed to ensure that air quality meets federal and state standards. If air quality begins to approach unhealthy levels, public land managers may be asked to delay igniting prescribed fires.
Links to Air Quality Sites:
