Jefferson County Smoke Management Program

The Jefferson County Smoke Management Program is a cooperative effort of Jefferson County Seed Growers and the Jefferson County Rural Fire Protection District, committed to a safe, controlled agricultural field burning season that insures public safety and minimizes, to the greatest degree possible, impacts of smoke on the communities of Central Oregon.

Daily Operations

Each day of the Smoke Management Season, the day's meteorological information is gathered.  This includes a temperature  flight, conducted around 6:30 a.m., which is sent to the Department of Agriculture's meteorologist.  They return a detailed weather forecast for the day, including what the predicted smoke dispersal conditions will be. 

A pilot balloon is also released each day, from the Central Oregon Ag Research Station, and it's path is tracked using an instrument known as a theodolyte.  This instrument gives precise information that can be used to discover what upper-level wind speeds and directions are present, and this information can be used to confirm the ODA forecast.

The burning advisory for the day is then formulated, using an established set of guidelines  (Limiting Criteria ) to determine if the conditions are favorable.   This decision is based on how safely burning can be accomplished, and how well the smoke will disperse.  If necessary, test fires can be conducted to observe the current conditions, and how well they match the forecast.

Growers are notified what the burning advisory is for the day.  The burning advisory will give precise information about when fires are to be lit, when they are to be out, and which locations are best suited to the day's conditions.  In addition, any highway burns that are being conducted will be posted and the Jefferson County Sheriff's office notified, to assist with traffic control as needed.

Once burning has begun, the conditions are monitored and recorded.  A daily re-evaluation is made, at approximately 2 p.m., and if conditions have worsened or if smoke intrusions occur, the burning is halted for the day.  If conditions are continuing favorably, more acres are released to burn.  Growers are instructed to be ready with rapid-ignition techniques, and can usually begin burning almost immediately upon receiving the "go-ahead".