Section 15-30-102 - Legislative findings and intent(a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) The prescribed burning of forestlands is a management tool that is beneficial to Arkansas's public safety, forest, and wildlife resources, environment, and economy;(2) The prescribed burning of forestlands reduces the naturally occurring buildup of vegetative fuels on forestlands, which reduces the risk and severity of wildfires and lessens the loss of life and property when wildfires occur;(3) The state's ever-increasing population is resulting in urban development directly adjacent to fire-prone forestlands, which is referred to as a wildland-urban interface area;(4) The use of prescribed burning in these wildland-urban interface areas substantially reduces the risk of wildfires that cause damage;(5) Many of Arkansas's natural ecosystems require periodic fire for their survival;(6) Prescribed burning is essential to the perpetuation, restoration, and management of many plant and animal communities;(7) Prescribed burning benefits game, nongame, and endangered wildlife species by increasing the growth and yield of plants that provide forage and an area for escape and brooding and that satisfy other habitat needs;(8) Forestlands are economic, biological, and aesthetic resources of statewide significance;(9) In addition to reducing the frequency and severity of wildfires, prescribed burning of forestlands helps to prepare sites for replanting and natural seeding, to control insects and diseases, and to increase productivity;(10) Prescribed burning enhances the resources on public use lands, such as state and national forests, wildlife refuges, nature preserves, and wildlife management areas; and(11) Prescribed burning enhances private lands that are managed for wildlife refuges, recreation, nature preserves, game lands, and other purposes.(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that prescribed burning is conducted in Arkansas:(1) To reap the benefits described in subsection (a) of this section; and(2) In a responsible and safe manner.Added by Act 2023, No. 695,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.