I know that slash and burn farming is an issue the we in Lawrence county deal with every season. Poeple get sick from all the ash and soot that float around in the air, and I have even kept my kids out of open air sporting events to prevent illness. I hear protest all the time about the mass burning of fields, which is the majority of the outer Walnut Ridge and Hoxie area. This is the area in which I live.
My husband and other people with disease that inhibit oxygen uptake smuffer every year with the agonizing air. The air is so polluted at some points that soot falls out of the sky like volcanic ash and the clouds darken. I don't like, kids have a hard time breathing, and I hate watching my family struggle. I understand that it is cheaper, but it is also irresponsible.
There are numerous buildings that have been caused damage that the owner has had to absorb. I bet you didn't know that the farmer that set blaze to the feild next to the house that caught fire is legally absolved from liability of damage. No notice is given prior to burning, so the owner that is out of town during these occurences has no idea to call a neighbor to check in his property. I am certainly against the burning of the fields as a prepatory method for the next planting seasonl
I don't want to cut into profits,and I don't look at gas margins and crop selling prices to keep up with a farmer's out of pocket cost. I do however see the irresponsible actions that cause my family and the members of others pain. I think that if farmers cut out burning in lieu of manual clearing that the environment would be better off. We would cut down on carbon emissions marginally and I wouldn't have to watch my husband suffer through asthma. It would also cut down on the worry of property damage.
I have been one of those people outside with a water hose fighting of a small wild fire to protect property. To me it is just rediculous using these outdated methods. I hope that someday a good compromise can be had and burning can be retired. Until then the farmers will torch everything and I will stop up on asthma meds.
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