This state-of-knowledge review about the effects of fire on air quality can assist land, fire, and air resource managers with fire and smoke planning, and their efforts to explain to others the science behind fire-related program policies and practices to improve air quality. Chapter topics include air quality regulations and fire; characterization of emissions from fire; the transport, dispersion, and modeling of fire emissions; atmospheric and plume chemistry; air quality impacts of fire; social consequences of air quality impacts; and recommendations for future research.

Wildland fire is an integral part of ecosystem mgmt. and is essential in maintaining functional ecosystems, but air pollutants emitted from those fires can be harmful to human health and welfare. This review of what is known about the effects of fire on air quality will assist those in the fire and air quality mgmt. communities. Contents: (1) Intro.; Scope; Framework; Prior Work; Changes in Fire Policy; (2) Air Quality Regulations and Fire; (3) Overview of Air Pollution from Fire; (4) Characterization of Emissions from Fires; (5) Transport, Dispersion, and Modeling of Fire Emissions; (6) Atmospheric and Plume Chemistry; (7) Estimating the Air Quality Impacts of Fire; (8) Consequences of Fire on Air Quality; (9) Recommend. for Future Research. Illus.