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Smokewatch - record fire and smoke observations

 

Operation Smokewatch is about the community recording incidents of fires and smoke around Tasmania. The information from members of the public will be used by the community group "Operation Smokewatch"  to lobby the government to protect human health.

Smoke smell and visibility are good indicators of very small smoke particles (PM 2.5). These particles are small enough to penetrate far into the lungs and cause significant harm to your health.

Keep a watch for smoke particularly in Autumn and Spring. If you see or smell smoke or see a fire, record your observations of smoke events using the following pattern:

  1. Date
  2. Area/city/town/suburb
  3. Time of smoke smell - in morning (SM), afternoon (SA), evening (SE) or night (SN).
  4. Health effects observed
  5. Fires known via observation (O) or websites (W)
  6. Nature of fire if known eg forestry, parks etc

Example 1 (actual incident)

  1. 23 March 2009
  2. Newstead Launceston
  3. SE
  4. Headaches
  5. Observation
  6. Nature - unknown

Example 2 (actual incident)

  1. 28 March 2009
  2. Patersonia
  3. SM, SE, SN
  4. Headaches outside, loss of voice by neighbour with lung condition
  5. Observation
  6. Nature - smoke from 3 fires at Burnie (listed on FIAT website)

 

Don't forget to log in to www.tapvision.info so you can upload your observations. Click on "add new comment".

17 March industrial logging burns

On March 19th, 2010 Anonymous says:

Forestry Tasmania burns
alight as at 17/03/2010

Map shows the burns which Forestry Tasmania has alight at present. 4 alight w of Launceston on 17/3 FPA website.
The map is updated at 5 minute intervals between 7:00am and 7:00pm every day.
The date and time of the last update is shown beneath the map.

Levels PM 10 & 2.5 100 in morning. Smoke came to W Tamar then an hour later Patersonia 360 thick smoke greatly reduced visibility, Evacuation, Tasmania wide fumigation 4FPA, Vic forestry industry burn implicated by EPA but 4 tassie burns alight unusually disappeared off FPA site in afternoon. Government believes only a few sensitive individuals are affected but doctor says mass small scale health effects occur during smoke events. Please list if you have any.

Forestry Burn Offs and Public Health

On May 14th, 2009 Anonymous says:

5th may 2009
Break O Day Region St Helens
Fire and smoke continued for 8 days SM SA SE SN
Fires were listed on Forestry Planned Burns website.
Forestry Regeneration.
I have photographic proof.

Break O Day Region St Helen's

On May 22nd, 2009 Anonymous says:

I am compiling a diary of this year's polluting smoke events and would appreciate using photos for public diary. Ph 63993345
Author of Patersonia Smoke Diary 2008

Smoke air pollution Tamar Valley

On May 14th, 2009 Anonymous says:

Date:12 May afternoon and through the night
Area: Hillwood and in both directions along the Tamar Valley
Time: SA, SE,SN
Health effects: shortness of breath, headache, fatigue from shortness of breath.
Observation: acrid dark smoke that blocked sunlight and turned sun bright red similar to the gross pollution we have seen in Thailand, Mexico and Peru. Air was thick with smoke and any exertion made it difficult to breath.
Nature: smoke from massive forestry burn

Smoke watch

On May 13th, 2009 Taz2 says:

12th May 2009
Bass Highway between Hagley & Hadspen
SA
Eyes stinging
Observation
Unknown...possibly windrow from farm clearing

smokewatch

On April 11th, 2009 Libby says:

11 April 2009
Long Plains Road, midway between Frankford Hwy. and Bridgenorth Rd.
SE - late evening and throughout night
smell. irritated lungs, eyes stinging, smell penetrated home
observation - smoke visible when outside lights on, red glow visible
Nature: farm property or adjacent forest plantation

Smoke watch

On April 5th, 2009 jasmin says:

1. 5 April, Sunday afternoon
2. Smoke from a fire positioned between Western Tiers and Launceston
3. Smoke smell in St Leonards at 5pm
5. observed fire surrounded by very thick haze from the Midlands Hwy with yellow pollution haze on horizon in Launceston
6. Forestry planned burns listed at 18:20 and 11am showed no forestry burns yet burns planned must be finalised and online by 10am daily.
Please report info to Smokewatch if position or source known.

smokewatch

On April 5th, 2009 jasmin says:

1.3 April 5pm
2.Launceston, Patersonia
3.SM
4.Headaches inside, racing pulse
5.Smoke sources not visible, Very hazy
6.3-6 High intensity burns-3 Fiat/Gunns planned burns still going in Burnie-burns website
3 burns West Tamar or north of Westbury according to Mick Schofield at FPA but were not (apparently) posted on the compulsory planned burned website by the afternoon. No Tas Fire Service bushfires today.
7. Launceston PM 2.5monitoring (good smoke indicator) had elevated pollution at 9am and 1pm(unpublished report)