Turn up the Heat! Benefits of Prescribed Burns
3400 North 40th Street Springdale, AR, 72762
Join us on May 2nd at the Ozark Highlands Nature Center
for an afternoon workshop on Prescribed Burning with
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, register here to get lunch: Prescribed Burn Workshop
This topic was covered in the 2025 (April) Landowner Services Newsletter.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, settlers cleared forests and grasslands for agriculture. As damage became clear, conservation efforts began—but widespread fire suppression led to unintended consequences.
Certified burners use fire breaks, torches, and other equipment to ignite and manage the fuel on the forest floor, as shown here at the IRWP Sanctuary. See demonstrations of the equipment used at the May 2nd Field Tour.
Natural wildfires play a crucial role in reducing a forest’s vulnerability to pests and diseases while fostering biodiversity, and preventing wildfires has not enhanced the health of our forests. In landscapes where fires once naturally cleared the understory, unchecked vegetation now grows densely, hindering new plant development. Invasive species like Bush Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle, which would typically be kept in check by periodic wildfires, now overtake entire ecosystems.
Prescribed burns can help maintain and/or improve forest vegetation and therefore reduce reduce soil erosion and stormwater runoff into ponds and waterways.
We can improve water quality by giving stormwater runoff a chance to slow down, settle, and soak into the soil before reaching a stream. Water that can infiltrate into the soil and be phyto-remediated by plants to remove harmful chemicals like heavy metals from the water is better for our drinking water sources versus water that is coming straight from storm pipes!
Benefits of Controlled Burns
Controlled burns can improve water quality.
Prescribed burns promote healthy and robust forages with deep root systems which can stabilize soils. By reducing sediment that reaches streams through erosion, your property can improve water quality.
Forests that experience controlled burns periodically are more diverse and resilient.
Certain tree species, like oaks, are resilient to wildfires due to their tough bark and fire-resistant seeds. Other species, like maples, which were not a part of the native Arkansas landscape pre-settlement, cannot withstand burns.
Controlled burns can save you money by avoiding the costs of damages associated with uncontrolled burns.
Prescribed burns remove excess vegetation like dead leaves, grass, and brush, reducing the fuel available for wildfires—lowering their intensity, spread, and the risk of damage to your property.
Wildlife can benefit from controlled burns as well.
“Pheasants and quail, along with many other wildlife species, benefit from periodic fire. Burning removes the buildup of dead plant material, allowing chicks to travel under the cover. Birds also benefit from the increased insects and seeds a fire can bring.” - Quail Forever
IRWP’s Sanctuary burned in fall of 2024. During the May 2nd Field tour, see a plot that was burned in March and analyze what is growing back after the fire.
What Assistance Is Available to Landowners?
IRWP’s Landowner Services Program can conduct site visits and develop conservation plans for qualifying landowners, which may recommend burning as a land management tool.
AGFC provides landowners with incentives for implementing prescribed fire on their private land. For more information contact one of their Private Lands Biologists that services your area.
Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) are groups of landowners who pool their knowledge, equipment and resources to conduct prescribed fires together. Membership allows local PBA’s access to burn trailers, training and other resources from the Arkansas State Prescribed Burn Association.
What is a PBA? Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) are groups of landowners who form partnerships to pool their knowledge, equipment, and other resources to conduct prescribed fires. While this is a recently developed program in Arkansas, there are established PBAs in surrounding states. They generally have a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and board members. Once a PBA is established, they will receive training and can apply for a burn trailer and equipment provided in partnership by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Quail Forever, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
AGFC and Quail Forever biologists can assist in conducting prescribed burns, along with private contractors and consultants.
Qualified prescribed burners are individuals who are trained to conduct prescribed burns in Arkansas. According to the Arkansas Prescribed Burning Act (Act 695), landowners are granted liability protection when qualified burns are conducted. Email qualified.burner@agriculture.arkansas.gov with questions.
Agenda for Prescribed Burn Workshop
Join us on Friday, May 2nd at 12:00 PM for a free lunch and time to network.
At 1:00 PM, we will begin presentations by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), IRWP, and other conservation partners.
At 1:30 PM, we will begin our Introduction to Prescribed Burns for Landowners, presented by Bailey Coffelt, Private Lands Biologist with AGFC.
At 2:00 PM, we will take a guided Field Tour to learn more about prescribed burn equipment, or the effects of prescribed burns on forage management.
At 3:15 PM, we will head back inside for a brief break.
At 3:30 PM, we will host a Prescribed Burn Q&A, so please bring your conservation plans or ideas to consult with partners about financial and technical assistance opportunities available.
Email contact@irwp.org for help registering or with questions.
