R307-204-9. Large Prescribed Pile Fires  


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  • (1) Burn Plan. For a prescribed pile fire that exceeds 30,000 cubic feet per day, the land manager shall submit to the director a burn plan, including a fire prescription.

    (2) Pre-Burn Information. For a prescribed pile fire that exceeds 30,000 cubic feet or more per burn, 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 of Air Quality by fax, electronic mail or postal mail and shall include the following information:

    (a) The three-letter ID, project number, date submitted, name of person submitting the form, burn manager, and phone numbers;

    (b) Summary of burn objectives, such as restoration or maintenance of ecological functions or indication of fire resiliency;

    (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) Planned mitigation methods;

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

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

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

    (h) 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;

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

    (j) If the fire is in a nonattainment or maintenance area and is subject to general conformity (42 U.S.C. 7506(c)), a copy of the conformity demonstration showing that the fire meets the requirements of the Clean Air Act and conforms with the applicable State Implementation Plan.

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

    (l) 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 of Air Quality by 1000 hours at least two business days before the planned ignition time. The form may be submitted by fax or electronic mail, and must include the following information:

    (i) The three-letter identification and project number consistent with the annual burn schedule required in R307-204-5(1) above;

    (ii) The date submitted and by whom; and

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

    (b) No prescribed pile fire requiring a burn plan shall be ignited before the director approves the burn request.

    (c) If a prescribed pile 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. If a prescribed fire is not carried out, the land manager shall list the reasons on the burn request form provided by the Division of Air Quality and shall submit the form by fax or electronic mail to the director by 0800 hours the following business day.

    (4) Daily Emissions Report. By 0800 hours on the day following the prescribed pile burn, for each day of pile fire activity exceeding 30,000 cubic feet, the land manager shall submit to the director a daily emission report on the form provided by the Division of Air Quality including the following information:

    (a) The three-letter identification and project number consistent with the annual burn schedule required in R307-204-5(1) above;

    (b) The date submitted and by whom;

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

    (d) Emission information including black acres, tons fuel consumed per acre, and tons particulate matter produced;

    (e) Public interest regarding smoke;

    (f) Daytime ventilation;

    (g) Nighttime smoke behavior;

    (h) Evaluation of the techniques used by the land manager to reduce emissions or manage the smoke from the prescribed pile burn; and

    (i) Emission reduction techniques applied.

    (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 of Air Quality. 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 pile 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 of Air Quality 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.