BRINKLEY, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Rice Farmers board has approved the establishment of a task force that will look to address concerns, consider farmer burning plans and develop smoke management guidelines.
The Jonesboro Sun reports that the task force was formed by members of the Arkansas Rice Industry at a meeting Tuesday.
Arkansas Rice Federation executive director Lauren Waldrip Ward says that the burning season is nearly finished, but that the board wants to address the issue as soon as possible.
The federation is partnering with the Arkansas Agriculture Department and the Arkansas Prescribed Fire Council and other row crop partners to create the voluntary guidelines.
The guidelines will be based on a model from the state Prescribed Fire Council that's already in place.