Burn Smart: The Importance of Using FireSMART for Responsible Rice Field Burning

Rice harvest is in full swing in the Mid-South. In northeast Arkansas where we farm, we have had little rainfall and lower than usual humidity. This combination means as the rice grains mature, they dry quickly in the field. When the grain moisture is low the remaining straw and residue left behind after harvest is also dry. The perfect environment for farmers to burn the residue to prepare for the next season.

I do not wish to debate the reasons for or against burning rice field residue after harvesting. Although there are many good reasons to burn and a few why not, that is not my focus.

I want to address an even more controversial topic around burning – why are farmers not utilizing the FireSMART app?

Prescribed burns, as these types of fires are called, have been common in forestry for decades. In fact, the number of forest prescribed burns in Arkansas have substantially increased over the decades as scientists and research have backed the need for these types of burns. In fact, the instances of problems with forestry prescribed burns have been relatively low. In my opinion, the reason for this is due to the voluntary management and reporting that the foresters have implemented and followed.

In response to complaints of smoke from burning rice fields, Arkansas rice industry leaders began working with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Forestry Department  in 2017 to develop “Arkansas Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines for Row Crop Burning”. This guide and the invitation for row crop farmers to use the Department of Agriculture dispatch center to help suggest proper burning was thought to be a game changer. Farmers could now become better acquainted with the weather conditions that were best for burning and provide notice of a burn to the public. Farmers would also be advised of other burns in the area that had been reported and the proximity of smoke sensitive areas such as schools and nursing homes.

Unfortunately, participation was extremely low.

In 2022, Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment launched the FireSMART app. This app, which provides the same information as calling the dispatch center, is right in the palm of your hand. It is so easy to check the conditions, other burns, sensitive areas and report your burn.

Why are farmers reluctant to use the app? Is it because they do not want others to know they are burning? It seems a little silly to me because a field fire is noticeable. Most neighbors know who owns the fields which surround them.

Do farmers not report due to the fear of regulation? In my opinion, regulations are eminent if we as a community continue to ignore the conditions and smoke sensitive areas. Farmers will be forced to abide by even more red tape. Some states require you to sign up and apply for a burn permit for a specific day and time to burn. Or even worse than that, farmers could be prohibited from burning at all.

Do you use burning to manage the residue? Would you like to continue to be able to use it at your own discretion if the weather allows? We need to step up and be responsible for our own actions and those in our community. Be proactive about burning and encourage other farmers to do the same.

I would ask you to investigate the forestry industry. They have done an excellent job of communicating their practice needs, explaining the scientific reasons for burning, and have a positive relationship with the public. I found a paper online that describes much of this and it is very interesting and relevant.

As harvest continues and many of us look to the practice of burning to manage our fields, please be proactive to check the conditions and report the burn. Let us be good neighbors and fellow farmers. It only takes a few fires that go wrong to cripple the rest of the industry. Do not let your actions be the determining factor that negatively impacts us all.