OAR 629-048-0135: Special Protection Zone Requirements

Special Protection Zones (SPZ) have been established around certain communities (see maps located within Department Directive 1-4-1-601, “Operational Guidance for the Oregon Smoke Management Program, Appendix 5” requiring additional protection from particulates. Any burning in an SPZ, during its protection period, must have the approval of the meteorologist. These SPZ provisions apply from November 15 through February 15 to the following communities which are particulate matter (PM) nonattainment or maintenance areas: Klamath Falls, Medford, Oakridge, and Lakeview. (1) From November 15 through February 15, prescribed burning in the SPZ is allowed on “Green” and “Yellow” woodstove days (see OAR 340-262-0800 and local ordinances for communities listed above) if: (a) The ODF Smoke Management meteorologist believes smoke impacts will not exceed smoke intrusion levels . (b) Landowners are responsible for intermittent monitoring for at least three days following ignition to ensure the smoke is not causing an impact that could exceed smoke intrusion levels. ODF can waive this provision if it believes monitoring is unnecessary on a specific burn unit due to limited smoke production . (c) Landowners provide a level of mop-up, as directed by ODF, to minimize smoke impacts to levels below a smoke intrusion. Mop-up shall be included as an element of the burn plan. (2) From December 1 through February 15, no prescribed burning is allowed on “Red” woodstove days in the SPZ. Prescribed burning on “Red” days from November 15 through 30 is allowed and subject to the same conditions for “Green” and “Yellow” days as described in section 1(a - c) of this rule. (3) Districts and Forests having jurisdiction in any SPZ will be responsible for monitoring restrictions in the nonattainment or maintenance area as described in section 1 and 2 of this rule. (4) SPZ provisions shall apply as long as the area is in PM nonattainment or is in maintenance of the PM standard. An SPZ shall be developed by DEQ or Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) for any newly declared PM nonattainment area, in consultation with ODF. For areas declared nonattainment from January 1 through May 31, the new SPZ requirements shall become effective on November 15 in the year the area is declared nonattainment. If the area is declared nonattainment from June 1 through December 31, the new SPZ shall be effective on November 15 of the following year.