Rule 208 – Permit and Burn Authorization for Open Burning, and Rule 444 - Open Burning

1. Rule 208 – Permit and Burn Authorization for Open Burning, and Rule 444 - Open Burning April 16, 2009 Smoke Management Workshop

2. Objective of Rules • Ensure open burning is conducted in a manner that minimizes emissions and smoke • Protect public health and safety; minimize nuisance

3. Rule 444 Applicability • Applies to any person conducting or allowing any open burning: • Agricultural burning • Disposal of Russian thistle (Salsola kali or “tumbleweed”) • Prescribed burning • Fire prevention/suppression training • Open detonation or use of pyrotechnics • Fire hazard removal • Others

4. What is Agricultural Burning? Agricultural Burning means open burning of vegetative materials produced wholly from the growing and harvesting of crops in agricultural operations.

5. WHAT MUST I DO PRIOR TO AGRICULTURAL BURNING? BURNING? ?

6. You Must • Obtain a written permit from AQMD or local Fire Protection Agency • Obtain approval from local Fire Protection Agency • Obtain Burn Authorization Number by calling (909) 396-3403, prior to 4:00 p.m. the day before the burn

7. What Can I Burn? Unwanted or unsalable materials produced wholly from agricultural operations directly related to the growing of crops or raising of fowl animals for the primary purpose of making a profit or for a livelihood.

8. What Can’t I Burn? • Plastic, rubber, tar paper • Ornamental or landscape vegetation • Shop Wastes • Construction and demolition materials • Pesticide and fertilizer container • Broken boxes • Any kind of trash • Chemically treated wood

12. When can I burn? • On permissive burn days • Upon receiving approval from AQMD and local fire department • During the hours recommended by AQMD or local fire department

13. PRESCRIBED BURNING Prescribed Burning means planned burning usually conducted by a public agency, or through cooperative agreement or contract involving a public agency. The purpose of prescribed burning is mainly for forest protection and vegetation management.

14. Requirements • All Prescribed burning requires a Smoke Management Plan • Requirements are based on acreage

15. Prescribed Burning Screening Process

16. Information Required for Smoke Management Plan • Contact information • Burn method and fuel type • Smoke sensitive areas • Acceptable smoke prescription • Contingency planning • Burn monitoring procedures • Location and size of the burn • Expected air emissions • Smoke travel projections • Description of alternatives to burning • Public notification procedures

18. Fire Prevention/Suppression Training The instruction of employees in the methods of preventing or suppressing fires.

19. Exemptions for Training Burn • Burn Day Requirements • Permit Requirement Provided • No Complete Burning of Structures • Each Fire does not exceed 30 min. • Meet Cumulative Burn Time Limits • Approved Fuels are Used

20. Other Exemptions • Recreational fires or ceremonial fires • Preparation or warming of food for human consumption • Generating warmth at a social gathering • Fireworks displays • Pyrotechnics used for creation of special effects at theme parks

21. Rules 208 and 444 Amended November 7, 2008

22. Purpose of Recent Rule Amendments • Improve tracking • Limit public exposure to smoke • Improve enforceability • Reduce particulate emissions

23. Recent Amendment to Rule 208 Clarifies that open burns must comply with the site-specific permit conditions

24. Recent Amendments to Rule 444 (cont.) • Utilizes the Air Quality Index (AQI) to determine permissive, marginal, and no burn days • Prohibits agricultural burns within 1,000 feet of sensitive receptors • Prohibits completely burning existing structures for fire prevention/suppression training

25. Recent Amendments to Rule 444 (cont.) • Requires Burn Management Plans for agricultural burn projects >10 acres or projects that produce > 1 ton of PM • Requires Smoke Management Plans to be updated annually

26. Recent Amendments toRule 444(cont.) • Allow partial recovery of AQMD costs • Evaluation of Plans and Reports • Allows burning as an emergency measure to protect crops from freezing • Other improvements

27. Recent Amendments toRule 444 (cont.) • Adds the requirement of Air Quality Index standards to determine permissive burn days, marginal burn days, and no burn days • Permissive Burn Day: AQI 100 or less • Marginal Burn Day: AQI 150 or less and AQI 100 or less in source/receptor area • No Burn Day: AQI greater than 150

28. Range Air quality 0-50 Good 51-100 Moderate 101-150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups 151-200 Unhealthy 201-300 Very unhealthy 301-500 Hazardous Health concerns Poses little or no risk Small population affected General public not affected Everyone affected Serious health effects Emergency AQI Standards

29. Rule 444 Implementation • Timely submittal of Annual Post Burn Evaluation Report • Contact information of Responsible Party • Burn Authorization Number Requests • Timely Requests • Complete Information Supplied • Valid Phone Numbers

30. Questions?