Voluntary smoke management guidelines are based on the development of a simple burn plan, which includes reporting the burn to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Dispatch Center (1-800-830-8015). Reporting the burn to the dispatch center provides a full understanding of weather conditions including humidity and wind, information about other burns in the area, and proximity of nearby smoke sensitive areas like schools, nursing homes, and highways. Reporting the burn also provides notice to the public here.

Videos, public service announcements (PSAs), social media graphics, and other resources have been developed below for partners in agriculture, conservation, forestry and wildfire suppression, stewardship, and other related federal, state, and private agencies and organizations. These outreach materials will help to inform Arkansas landowners and residents about how to use voluntary smoke management guidelines and will help inform about how and why prescribed fire is used as a management tool.

Video Links: Prescribed Fire as a Management Tool for Row Crop Farmers

• Video 1, Farmer-focused Message
• Video 2, Community-focused Message

PSAs: Radio Announcements for Application of Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines

• Radio Spot, 1 (2.3 MB)
• Radio Spot, 2 (2.3 MB)

Print Resources

• Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines Postcard Mailer (236.84 KB)
• Letter Template to Arkansas Farmers and Partners in the Application of Prescribed Fire (229.82 KB)
• Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines

Social Media Content for Sharing Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines: Text & Graphics

Message 1:

As harvest season approaches, stay educated on voluntary smoke management guidelines to continue the responsible stewardship of our resources and avoid regulation. Find guidelines at: https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-voluntary-smoke-management-guidelines/ #BeforeYouBurn

• Graphic for Message 1 (2.09 MB)

Message 2:

Help continue responsible stewardship by making sure you: 1) Follow the Safe Burning Checklist, and 2) Call 1-800-830-8015 and report your crop burn to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Dispatch Center. #BeforeYouBurn

• Graphic for Message 2 (96.58 KB)

Message 3:

Call the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Dispatch Center at 1-800-830-8015 #BeforeYouBurn, and follow the Safe Burning Checklist at https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-voluntary-smoke-management-guidelines/ to continue responsible stewardship of our resources and avoid regulation.

• Graphic for Message 3 (3.43 MB)

Message 4:

#BeforeYouBurn, you are doing your part to continue responsible stewardship: 1) When you follow the Safe Burning checklist at https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-voluntary-smoke-management-guidelines/ and 2) Call the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Dispatch Center at 1-800-830-8015.

• Graphic for Message 4 (74.3 KB)

Message 5:

Why do farmers burn? Learn more about the many benefits of prescribed fire as a management tool, and the role of #GoodFires as a key strategy in a crop management plan here: https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-voluntary-smoke-management-guidelines/ #BeforeYouBurn

• Graphic for Message 5 (2.57 MB)

Message 6:

Why do farmers need prescribed fire as a management tool? Learn more about the role prescribed fire plays in a crop management plan as a #GoodFire for natural resources, here: https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-voluntary-smoke-management-guidelines/ #BeforeYouBurn

• Graphic for Message 6 (2.54 MB)

Message 7:

Call the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Dispatch Center at 1-800-830-8015 #BeforeYouBurn, and follow the Safe Burning Checklist at https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-voluntary-smoke-management-guidelines/ to continue responsible stewardship of our resources and avoid regulation of #GoodFires as a management tool for crops.

• Graphic for Message 7 (w/QR Code) (107.87 KB)

Message 8:

Planning to use prescribed fire on your property, following the harvest of rice, soybeans, cotton, corn, and other row crops? Learn more about the #BeforeYouBurn checklist and Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines to help minimize smoke impact: https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-voluntary-smoke-management-guidelines/ #BeforeYouBurn

• Graphic for Message 8 (287.01 KB)

Message 9:

Vegetation Control, Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Planting/Regeneration are just a few of the benefits offered by the application of prescribed fire as a management tool. Learn more about the role of #GoodFires as a key strategy in a crop management plan: https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-voluntary-smoke-management-guidelines/

• Graphic for Message 9 (118.39 KB)