From: PARSONS Peter

Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 6:48 PM

To: YONKER Nick J

Cc: LITTLE Jim; PARSONS Peter

Subject: Preliminary Smoke Intrusion

Nick,

Just minutes after you left on Friday, I spoke with Caitlin Goins (Medford ODF), and she informed me that smoke from the burn that we discussed this morning looked like it was going to cause a light intrusion into the southwestern section of the Medford SSRA.  That was confirmed soon afterwards by ground spotters from ODF (see the Preliminary Smoke Intrusion Report).   I do not know, and neither does Caitlin, if the BLM folks verified their transport winds (away from the SSRA) before ignition, as they were instructed.  Caitlin informed me that she received a preliminary report from the BLM folks that their burn consumed approximately 140 tons prior to their extinguishing the burn due to unfavorable winds and burning conditions.  That is clearly above what they were “cleared” to do.  Greg Alexander also spoke with me.  Both Greg and Caitlin said that the burn was putting out quite a bit of smoke.  As you can see, I was able to get the Preliminary Smoke Intrusion Report issued prior to 5 p.m.  I assembled a fairly comprehensive packet of weather data (on the counter top next to the BIG BOARD), but a few things will need to be added on Tuesday.

Due to the intrusion, I was not able to issue a “special weather statement” to “all ODF” regarding the change to stormy weather.  Sorry about that.  It has been a long day as it is (now 6:45 p.m.).

See you on Wednesday, unless the weather turns out to be worse than the current forecast models are indicating.

Pete