Managers of bush fires, whether responding to bushfires or planning and implementing prescribed fires, must understand the reasons and methods for minimizing negative impacts from smoke. Managers already know that protecting human life is the foremost priority in all aspects of bushland fire management (including smoke); protecting natural resources and personal property are secondary priorities. (1)

The major components of smoke are water vapor and carbon dioxide. However, smoke also contains the pollutants carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. Because of its very small size (similar to pollen), fine particulate matter can easily penetrate deep into lung tissue, causing severe respiratory and cardio-vascular disease. This pollutant also can significantly reduce visibility on roads by scattering and absorbing light, resulting in unsafe driving conditions. Therefore, particulate matter is the pollutant of primary concern for smoke management. In order to comply with the law, fire managers must understand how particulate matter affects public health, reduces visibility on highways and near airports, and impacts scenic vistas within national parks.

Ecotech offers a wide variety of tools and solutions for these purposes enabling the monitoring of particulate matter, air quality and meteorological conditions.

Ecotech is able to offer a complete smoke monitoring solution fully integrating with remote communication and our reporting software.

Products and systems of interest include:

• Met One E-BAM Continuous Particulate Monitors

Provides excellent correlation between smoke and particulate matter concentrations, easily installed without the need for air conditioned enclosures

• Met One E-Sampler Continuous Light Scatter Particulte Monitors

Provides very good correlation between smoke and particulate matter concentrations, can be powered from battery and solar, data can be retrieved remotely with ease.

• Aurora integrating nephelometer
  Ideal for monitoring of visibility impairment due to smoke and offering excellent correlation between smoke concentrations and visibilit impairment.

• Ecotech Data Reporting Software
  Enables data to be remotely downloaded from particulate monitors, reports to be generated and data published to web sites.

• Meteorological Systems
  Suitable for monitoring of meteorological conditions in order to determine atmospheric stability.

(1) National Interagency Fire Center - Smoke Management Overview

Smoke Particulate Monitors Update