On Monday, September 28th, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture sent our a reminder notice to farmers encouraging participation in the Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines managed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture in partnership with agriculture industry groups including the Ag Council of Arkansas. This program serves as a best management practice for farmers to adopt to ensure that the practice of burning crop residues post harvest is done in the most safe and responsible manner to mitigate undesired outcomes. Farmers planning to burn should call the Department's dispatch center at 1-800-830-8015 prior to burning to report the activity and ensure that it is done at the appropriate time and in an appropriate manner.
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/28/20
CONTACT: Anna Thrash, (501) 529-2689, anna.thrash@agriculture.arkansas.gov
Arkansas Department of Agriculture Reminds Agriculture Partners about Safe Prescribed Burning and Smoke Management
Little Rock, AR – With harvest underway, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture reminds our partners in agriculture and conservation of the importance of safe prescribed burning techniques as a valuable management tool in crop management plans.
Row crop farmers use prescribed fire in the fall as part of crop management plans to remove stubble following the harvest of rice, soybeans, corn, and cotton. Prescribed burning is an efficient and economical control method for preparing fields for the next growing season and eliminating pests and diseases. Burning crop residue also allows for no-till or reduced-till planting during the next growing season. Smoke management planning prior to the application of prescribed fires helps to reduce smoke impact on roadways, nearby towns, and sensitive areas like schools, nursing homes, churches, and other facilities.
“We want to remind all farmers who are using prescribed burns to make a safe smoke management plan, so we can continue to be good neighbors to all Arkansans,” said Secretary of Agriculture, Wes Ward.
Farmers can report a prescribed fire here. There is a Safe Burning Checklist which farmers complete before applying prescribed fire:
- Take extra precautions for smoke sensitive areas (highways, residents, communities, etc.)
- Report prescribed burns to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Dispatch Center (1-800-830-8015)
- Check to make sure relative humidity is above 20%
- Check to make sure wind speed is less than 15 mph
- Be sure to follow appropriate Smoke Category Day guidelines
Reporting the burn to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Dispatch Center provides a full understanding to the farmer of weather conditions, information about other burns in the area, and proximity of nearby smoke sensitive areas like schools, nursing homes, and highways.
“It is crucial for farmers to practice the responsible stewardship of our resources and avoid future regulations and red tape for our producers. Prescribed fire is a valuable tool and calling the hotline before burning takes only seconds. Taking these proactive measures today will help us ensure a quality air shed for our families and communities for generations to come,” said David Gairhan, Arkansas Rice Federation Chairman.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov.
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