The Ranch Hand Mitigation Program is a collaborative initiative between the South Arkansas Fire Protection District and the Salida Fire Department, designed to support local ranchers in reducing wildfire risk and promoting responsible land management through the strategic use of controlled burns.

Through this program, ranchers can coordinate directly with the S.A.F.P.D. to schedule prescribed burns on their property. These controlled burns serve multiple purposes: they help reduce dangerous fuel loads, minimize the risk of uncontrolled wildfires, and improve the overall health and productivity of pastureland. By managing the accumulation of dry vegetation and invasive species, the land becomes more resilient and better suited for both agricultural use and natural regeneration.

The program has already achieved significant success, with numerous prescribed burns completed safely and effectively. Each burn is thoroughly planned, taking into account weather conditions, topography, vegetation type, and safety protocols. Fire professionals oversee every stage of the process—from initial assessment to ignition and containment—ensuring that burns are carried out in a way that maximizes ecological benefits while minimizing risks to people and property.

Despite these successes, the program has faced occasional delays due to ongoing drought conditions and unpredictable high winds—both of which can create unsafe conditions for burning. Safety is always our top priority, and we closely monitor environmental factors before moving forward with any scheduled burn. When conditions are not favorable, we work proactively with ranchers to reschedule at a safer time.

We remain fully committed to supporting our agricultural community and protecting our region from wildfire threats. The Ranch Hand Mitigation Program reflects our broader mission: to combine fire safety, environmental stewardship, and community partnership in a way that strengthens both the land and the people who depend on it.

For more information or to inquire about scheduling a burn, please contact the South Arkansas Fire Protection District or the Salida Fire Department at (719)  539-2212.