R307-204-7. Large Prescribed Fires

  (1) For a prescribed fire that covers 20 acres or more per burn or 30,000 cubic feet of piled material or more, the land manager shall submit to the Director a prescribed fire plan at least one week before the beginning of the burn window. The plan shall include a prescription and description of other state, county, municipal, or federal resources available on scene, or for contingency purposes.

  (2) The land manager shall submit pre-burn information to the Director at least two weeks before the beginning of the burn window. The pre-burn information shall be submitted to the Director on the appropriate form provided by the Division and shall include the following information:

  (a) The project name, total acres, and latitude and longitude;

  (b) Summary of ignition method, burn type, and burn objectives, such as restoration or maintenance of ecological functions or hazardous fuel reduction;

  (c) Any sensitive receptor within 15 miles, including any Class I or nonattainment or maintenance area, and distance and direction in degrees from the project site;

  (d) The smoke dispersion or visibility model used and results;

  (e) The estimated amount of total particulate matter anticipated;

  (f) A description of how the public and land managers in neighboring states will be notified;

  (g) A map depicting both the daytime and nighttime smoke path and down-drainage flow for a minimum of 15 miles from the burn site with smoke-sensitive areas delineated;

  (h) Safety and contingency plans for addressing any smoke intrusions;

  (i) Planned use of emission reduction techniques to support establishment of an annual emissions goal, if not already submitted under R307-204-5; and

  (j) Any other information needed by the Director for smoke management purposes, or for assessment of contribution to visibility impairment in any Class I area.

  (3) Burn Request.

  (a) The land manager shall submit to the Director a burn request on the form provided by the Division by 1000 hours at least two business days before the planned ignition time. The form must include the following information:

  (i) The project name;

  (ii) The date submitted and by whom;

  (iii) The burn manager conducting the burn and phone numbers; and

  (iv) The dates of the requested burn window.

  (b) No large prescribed fire shall be ignited before the Director approves the burn request.

  (c) If a prescribed fire is delayed, changed or not completed following burn approval, any significant changes in the burn plan shall be submitted to the Director before the burn request is submitted.

  (4) Daily Emissions Report. By 0800 hours on the day following the prescribed fire, for each day of prescribed fire activity covering 20 acres or more, the land manager shall submit to the Director a daily emission report on the form provided by the Division including the following information:

  (a) Project name;

  (b) The date submitted and by whom;

  (c) The start and end dates and times of the burn;

  (d) Emission information, to include total affected acres, black acres, tons fuel consumed per acre, and tons particulate matter produced;

  (e) Public interest regarding smoke;

  (f) Daytime smoke behavior;

  (g) Nighttime smoke behavior;

  (h) Emission reduction techniques applied; and

  (i) Evaluation of the techniques used by the land manager to reduce emissions or manage the smoke from the prescribed burn.

  (5) Emission Reduction and Dispersion Techniques. Each land manager shall take measures to prevent smoke impacts. Such measures may include best management practices such as dilution, emission reduction or avoidance in addition to others described in the pre-burn information form provided by the Division. An evaluation of the techniques shall be included in the daily emissions report required by (4) above.

  (6) Monitoring. Land managers shall monitor the effects of the prescribed fire on smoke sensitive receptors and on visibility in Class I areas, as directed by the burn plan. Hourly visual monitoring and documentation of the direction of the smoke plume shall be recorded on the form provided by the Division or on the land manager's equivalent form. Complaints from the public shall be noted in the land managers project file. Records shall be available for inspection by the Director for six months following the end of the fire.