CPFM Smoke Management & Air Quality 2

Question 1

Which federal agency establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) that prescribed fire smoke must comply with?

Accepted Answer

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Answer

USDA Forest Service

Answer

National Park Service

Answer

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Question 2

What does an Air Quality Index (AQI) value between 151 and 200 indicate?

Accepted Answer

Unhealthy — everyone may begin to experience health effects

Answer

Good — air quality poses little or no risk

Answer

Moderate — acceptable for most people but risky for sensitive groups

Answer

Hazardous — emergency conditions affecting the entire population

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a Smoke Management Plan (SMP)?

Accepted Answer

To ensure prescribed burn smoke does not cause air quality standard violations

Answer

To completely eliminate all visible smoke from prescribed fires

Answer

To maximize fire intensity for more efficient fuel reduction

Answer

To document fire behavior prediction and spread modeling methods

Question 4

Which service provides daily smoke management forecasts — including mixing heights, transport winds, and ventilation indices — used by prescribed fire managers?

Accepted Answer

National Weather Service (NWS)

Answer

FAA Aviation Weather Service

Answer

NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Answer

USGS Geospatial Data Division

Question 5

What are 'Class I' airsheds under the Clean Air Act?

Accepted Answer

Pristine federal lands such as national parks and wilderness areas with strict visibility protections

Answer

Urban areas with the highest population density and pollution exposure

Answer

Agricultural zones with minimal pre-existing air quality restrictions

Answer

Industrial corridors where pollution offsets are pre-authorized

Question 6

What does 'opacity' measure when assessing prescribed fire smoke impacts?

Accepted Answer

The density of smoke as measured by how much light it blocks

Answer

The temperature of the smoke plume at the source

Answer

The vertical height of the visible smoke column

Answer

The horizontal direction of smoke transport from the burn

Question 7

Under the EPA's Exceptional Events Rule, prescribed fire smoke may be classified as an exceptional event, which allows states to do what?

Accepted Answer

Exclude properly documented prescribed fire data from air quality violation determinations

Answer

Ignore all air quality monitoring requirements during burn windows

Answer

Authorize unlimited burning regardless of atmospheric conditions

Answer

Override local county ordinances restricting open burning