JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Wildfires continue to be a hot topic in Northeast Arkansas, especially with the recent fog.

K8 News spoke with crop consultant Tyler Hydrick and Dr. Shane Speights of the New York Institute of Technology, who both said field burning poses health concerns.

“Basically we use it to help us reduce plowing passes and it also helps reduce off-field methane emissions which affect the atmosphere with a much greater impact than carbon dioxide which is essentially what we throw out fire. “Hyrdick said.

Field burning is a common practice in northeast Arkansas. There are natural benefits, as it saves farmers money, but it comes with risks, particularly in terms of air quality and health problems.

“When we see field burns, with these particles in the air, and you inhale them, it can make it more difficult to breathe,” Dr. Speights said.

Dr. Speights said he has seen a slight increase in patient visits to hospitals during field burns, particularly for those with respiratory issues.

He added that people can also try to reduce the amount of smoke they inhale.

“There are some strategies that parents and individuals can implement to reduce the chance of reactions to this,” Dr. Speights said. “Children should not be outside, I know we play sports, but it should be limited because the air quality is significantly affected every time we burn fields.

Hydrick said they are aware of the health risks and are trying to educate more farmers on the best times to burn.

“There’s a widespread misconception that farmers don’t care, but we do and we’re not trying to give you a terminal disease when we burn,” Hyrdick said. “We try to do it right and try to do it right. doing the right things and we’re trying to work together to find a better solution and that solution right now is education.

“Our farmers are a real blessing to this community in terms of everything that they bring and what they bring across the country in terms of the break basket, but they recognize that there may be opportunities to make things differently,” Dr. Speights said.

There is studies carried out at the legislative level to determine what the best solutions and resolutions are.

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