SASEM: Simple Approach Smoke Estimation Model. Technical note

This Note presents a simple, easy-to-use, computer model of smoke dispersion from controlled burns. It contains background on why such a computer program has been developed by the Buruea of Land Management (BLM), the theoretical basis for the model, a guide on how to run the model, and suggestions for its use in practical prescribed burning applications. The Simple Approach Smoke Estimation Model was designed to provide a tool for the analysis of smoke dispersion from prescribed burns. In particular, it was intended to serve as a screening level model which provides a conservative estimate of the possibility that a given burn will cause an exceedence of air-quality standards or be a public nuisance due to visibility impairment of public highways or residential areas. By comparison with currently available dispersion models which include line sources, SASEM appears to fulfill this purpose. Furthermore, because of the extremely simple data requirements, all of which are already being collected for purposes or making fire accessible.