Date: 09/09/2015
Final
Air Quality Standards
WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE
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11:15 AM -- Air Quality Standards
Gordon Pierce, Program Manager, Technical Services Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), discussed the department's prescribed fire smoke management program. Committee members received presentation slides (Attachment B). He listed the organizations receiving prescribed burn permits, noting that the largest are federal agencies. He described the meteorological conditions necessary to conduct a prescribed burn.
150909 AttachB.pdf
Mr. Pierce discussed the air quality hazards from smoke and problems with the management of prescribed fires. He described the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index and messaging on smoke particulates. He explained that CDPHE has changed its general philosophy on prescribed fires, now allowing them not to meet federal air quality standards in some cases.
11:39 AM
Senator Jones commented on the new CDPHE policy. Mr. Pierce described the department's messaging during prescribed burns and during wildfires.
Representative Hamner and Mr. Pierce discussed prescribed burn permit applications before and after CDPHE's policy changes. Mr. Pierce explained the difference between open burning, the permitting for which is often handled at the county level, and prescribed fires.
11:48 AM
Senator Roberts commented on the new CDPHE policy. Mr. Pierce noted that CDPHE does not need additional legislative changes to continue permitting prescribed fires in this way.
Representative Singer and Mr. Pierce discussed the actual health impacts of smoke from prescribed fires.
11:51 AM
The committee recessed for lunch.