Central Arkansas Water Completes Controlled Burn to Improve Lake Maumelle Water Quality

In order to restore and maintain natural conditions to our forests and protect water quality, Central Arkansas Water (CAW) has partnered with The Nature Conservancy and other state and local partners to complete prescribed burns around the Lake Maumelle area in a safe and effective way.

All nearby landowners are informed of prescribed burns conducted by specially trained crews. Appropriate signage will be posted during the prescribed burn. Though the burn will occur under specific weather conditions intended to minimize smoke and increase dispersion, smoke will be visible in the area.

Prescribed burns improve public safety by minimizing the risk of destructive wildfires and enhancing forest resiliency, while improving water quality because of enhanced filtration resulting from better growing conditions on the forest floor. These burns also improve wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.

Prescribed burns are a proven method to restore and enhance landscapes throughout Arkansas and the nation. Over 280,000 acres across Arkansas are managed with prescribed burns each year by a variety of public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Through the work of The Fire Learning Network, over 490,000 acres have been managed with prescribed burns across the nation, in effort to restore and enhance landscapes.

The use of these techniques is part of continued efforts by CAW to implement the recommendations from the Lake Maumelle Watershed Management Plan in order to maintain a high-quality drinking water source for 450,000 individuals throughout the region served by CAW.