State of Louisiana Smoke Management Program

Natural fires have occurred throughout history and have shaped the landscape across much of the United States. Fire, once a common natural occurrence happens much less frequently today and is commonly initiated by man for a valued purpose. Prescribed fire in Louisiana is a useful management tool for croplands, rangelands, and forest maintenance. In Louisiana, natural resource managers burn approximately 650,000 acres a year. Prescribed fires assists with agriculture production, maintaining natural forests integrity, improves wildlife habitat, protects certain endangered species, and reduces property loss from wildfires. Several governmental agencies, such as; forestry, agricultural, environmental, wildlife and natural resources along with citizen driven organizations such as The Prescribed Fire Council have worked together to devise reasonable, science based guidelines that define the role and use of prescribed burning in a way that allows for desirable outcomes as well as a healthy ecosystem.

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