Introduction

Prescribed burning as a harvest management tool in Louisiana agriculture is a common practice. There are numerous environmental and public issues associated with this practice; however, the state has instituted a voluntary smoke and ash management program to assist growers in addressing these issues. In addition, a number of research projects are under way to address possible ways to reduce the need for prescribed agricultural burning.

Growers should maintain a responsible attitude toward environmental and public issues while attempting to be as efficient as possible. All Louisiana-certified prescribed burn managers are expected to burn according to current conditions, including refraining from burning during Red Flag Warnings (RFW). Several objectives related to smoke and ash management should always be considered:

• Prevent wildfire, any unintentional burning or offsite fire damage.
• Minimize the adverse effects caused by open-field controlled agricultural burning. Prevent smoke and ash from being blown across public highways and airports.
• Prevent smoke and ash from affecting public areas, such as hospitals, schools and doctor’s offices.
• Prevent smoke and ash from affecting subdivisions and other housing facilities.
• Prevent smoke and ash from affecting electrical substations and power lines.

Objective

These guidelines should assist with managing smoke and ash from agricultural prescribed burning operations to reduce their effects on public health and welfare. In agricultural prescribed burning, it is recognized that numerous factors affect the fire’s behavior and the resulting smoke and ash. These principles offer basic guidance to consider when prescribed burning is done.

Nothing in these guidelines shall be construed as allowing any person to be in violation of any regulations, laws, ordinances or orders of the state of Louisiana (or any other governmental entity having jurisdiction) or to relieve any person from the consequences of damage or injuries that may result from burning activities because of negligence.

Administration, Training and Communications

The Certified Prescribed Burn Manager program is administrated by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the LSU AgCenter developed the Louisiana Smoke Management Guidelines for Agriculture and will provide training and program information for agricultural producers.

Procedure

When prescribed burning is to be used in agriculture, the recommended procedures are:

• Step 1. Identify smoke-sensitive areas
• Step 2. Obtain fire weather forecast
• Step 3. Develop a prescribed burn plan
• Step 4. Determine smoke category day
• Step 5. Determine smoke and ash screening distances
• Step 6. Determine direction of smoke and ash plume
• Step 7. Evaluate prescribed burn results

Acknowledgments

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the LSU AgCenter gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and assistance provided by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Office of Soil and Water and its Office of Forestry, the American Sugar Cane League, the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service’s Environmental Science Division, the Florida Sugar Cane League, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the National Weather Service in preparing these guidelines.

Made Available By

• Kenneth A. Gravois, Ph.D., Sugar Research Station, LSU AgCenter
• Joey Breaux, Office of Soil and Water, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
• Mike Strain, DVM, Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

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