GFC hosted SHRMC VSmoke-Web

VSmoke-Web is a web-based implementation of VSmoke (Lavdas, 1996) and is designed to assist with planning prescribed burns in the Southern United States. VSmoke is a simple gaussian smoke dispersion model that calculates isopleths of surface smoke concentration. Output from the model represents peak hourly concentrations of PM2.5 or visibility (under development). Contour values and their colors correspond to the PM 2.5 thresholds for the Air Quality Index (AQI) and reflect potential health impacts ranging from moderate to hazardous (Visit AirNow for mode AQI info). Burn location can be set by clicking on the map or by entering the Latitude and Longitude. Note that the Latitude and Longitude should be entered in decimal degrees (30.38,-84.37) or degrees+decimal minutes (30 22.80, -84 22.20 - note the space between degree and minute values).

AQI

Levels of Health Concern AQI Value Hourly PM 2.5 Conc. Meaning

Good
0 to 50

0 to 9
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk

Moderate
51 to 100

10 to 35
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
101 to 150

36 to 55
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.

Unhealthy

151 to 200

56 to 125
Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Very Unhealthy
201 to 300

126 to 225
Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects

Hazardous
301 to 500

> 226
Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

VSmoke-Web

Estimating Prescribed Fire Smoke Impacts

About

AQI

Fire & Weather Info

Levels of Health Concern	AQI Value	Hourly PM 2.5 Conc.	Meaning
Good	0 to 50	0 to 9	Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk
Moderate	51 to 100	10 to 35	Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	101 to 150	36 to 55	Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Unhealthy	151 to 200	56 to 125	Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very Unhealthy	201 to 300	126 to 225	Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects
Hazardous	301 to 500	> 226	Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.