Suggested Outreach Opportunities

This page last reviewed January 12, 2010

This page provides suggested outreach opportunities for land and air quality managers to use 1-2 days prior to, and during, a specific burn. While conducting a burn, the land and air quality managers should work closely with the media to inform the public of the burn's status.

Scope of Information:

• Focus on the project
  • Status of the burn
  • How long the burn will continue
  • How long the smoke will last
• How the land and air quality managers have been working together to minimize the smoke impacts
  • Share the Joint Message
• Details of the SMP for this specific burn
  • Specific goals of the burn
  • Contingency plan and information
• Smoke Impacts and Health Information
  • What the impacts on the public are likely be (Fact Sheet: Smoke Management and Public Health)
  • Where the impacts are expected
  • What the public should do if they experience smoke impacts
• Identify appropriate agency contacts through which the public can get more information

Target Audiences and Outreach Opportunities:

• Sensitive Receptors
  • Make a special effort (phone calls, knock at door, etc.) in the days prior to ingnition to inform these individuals about your impending plans
• Neighboring Agencies
  • Alert your neighbors that you are conducting a burn project so that they can direct telephone inquiries they receive to you
    • Air Districts
    • Land Managers
    • Public Health Officials
• Radio, Television and Print Media
  • Provide interviews
  • Invite journalists to "participate" in the burn
  • What the public should do if they experience smoke impacts
  • Periodic updates should be phoned or faxed to media
• General Public
  • Host a booth in a well traveled public location (grocery store, gas station, etc.) near the burn to answer questions
  • Provide educational resources, such as:
    • Fact Sheets
    • Posters
    • Websites
    • Complaint Process

This page updated May 12, 2003.
SMP Public Outreach Protocol