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Burning fields is illegal in some states. It is allowed in other states and is usually regulated under a Smoke Management Plan. Smoke exposure is a serious health concern and particulate matter pollution is regulated under the Clean Air Act.

States that do allow field burning generally have times when burning is allowed, based on atmospheric ventilation and current fire potential on the natural landscape.

• If there is an atmospheric temperature inversion near the surface, or stagnant air characterized by no winds, then burning is not permitted.
• If the natural landscape is covered with dry fuels, burning will not be permitted so as to reduce the risk of wildfire.

Some states regularly use pile burns (e.g. from timber slash, orchard tear-outs, mixed brush, etc.) so that the fire does not go wild and so that there is enough heat flux to allow the plume to break through a temperature inversion.

Another common practice is prescribed fire, which simulates natural conditions and removes invasive species (e.g. on rangelands).

So, while North America does not typically employ "slash and burn" nomenclature, there is certainly a lot of slash being burned.

The term "slash and burn" is generally not used to describe the field burning that is currently done in North America. Burning fields is illegal in some states. It is allowed in other states, but is usually regulated under a Smoke Management Plan. Smoke exposure is a serious health concern and particulate matter pollution is regulated under the Clean Air Act in the USA.

Many states only allow field burning at certaim times, based on atmospheric ventilation and current fire potential on the natural landscape.

• If there is an atmospheric temperature inversion near the surface, or stagnant air characterized by no winds, then burning is not permitted.
• If the natural landscape is covered with dry fuels, burning will not be permitted so as to reduce the risk of wildfire.

Another common practice is for government owned lands to have prescribed fire put to the ground, which simulates natural conditions and removes invasive species (e.g. on rangelands).

When field burning or broadcast prescribed burns are not possible, pile burns are conducted (e.g. piles from timber slash, orchard tear-outs, mixed brush, etc.). Pile burns ensure that the fire does not go wild and that there is enough heat flux to allow the smoke plume to break through a temperature inversion.

So, while North America does not typically employ "slash and burn" nomenclature, there is certainly a lot of slash being burned.

Burning fields is illegal in some states. It is allowed in other states and is usually regulated under a Smoke Management Plan. Smoke exposure is a serious health concern and particulate matter pollution is regulated under the Clean Air Act.

States that do allow field burning generally have times where burning is allowed, based on atmospheric ventilation and current fire potential on the natural landscape.

• If there is an atmospheric temperature inversion near the surface, or stagnant air characterized by no winds, then burning is not permitted.
• If the natural landscape is covered with dry fuels, burning will not be permitted so as to reduce the risk of wildfire.

Some states regularly use pile burns (e.g. from timber slash, orchard tear-outs, mixed brush, etc.) so that the fire does not go wild and so that there is enough heat flux to allow the plume to break through a temperature inversion.

Another common practice is prescribed fire, which simulates natural conditions and removes invasive species (e.g. on rangelands).

So, while North America does not typically employ "slash and burn" nomenclature, there is certainly a lot of slash being burned.

Burning fields is illegal in some states. It is allowed in other states and is usually regulated under a Smoke Management Plan. Smoke exposure is a serious health concern and particulate matter pollution is regulated under the Clean Air Act.

States that do allow field burning generally have times when burning is allowed, based on atmospheric ventilation and current fire potential on the natural landscape.

• If there is an atmospheric temperature inversion near the surface, or stagnant air characterized by no winds, then burning is not permitted.
• If the natural landscape is covered with dry fuels, burning will not be permitted so as to reduce the risk of wildfire.

Some states regularly use pile burns (e.g. from timber slash, orchard tear-outs, mixed brush, etc.) so that the fire does not go wild and so that there is enough heat flux to allow the plume to break through a temperature inversion.

Another common practice is prescribed fire, which simulates natural conditions and removes invasive species (e.g. on rangelands).

So, while North America does not typically employ "slash and burn" nomenclature, there is certainly a lot of slash being burned.

Burning fields is illegal in some states. It is allowed in other states and is usually regulated under a Smoke Management Plan. Smoke exposure is a serious health concern and particulate matter pollution is regulated under the Clean Air Act.

States that do allow field burning generally have times where burning is allowed, based on atmospheric ventilation and current fire potential on the natural landscape.

• If there is an atmospheric temperature inversion near the surface, or stagnant air characterized by no winds, then burning is not permitted.
• If the natural landscape is covered with dry fuels, burning will not be permitted so as to reduce the risk of wildfire.

Some states regularly use pile burns (e.g. from timber slash, orchard tear-outs, mixed brush, etc.) so that the fire does not go wild and so that there is enough heat flux to allow the plume to break through a temperature inversion.

Other areas, such as rangelands, utilize prescribed fire to simulate natural conditions and remove invasive species.

Burning fields is illegal in some states. It is allowed in other states and is usually regulated under a Smoke Management Plan. Smoke exposure is a serious health concern and particulate matter pollution is regulated under the Clean Air Act.

States that do allow field burning generally have times where burning is allowed, based on atmospheric ventilation and current fire potential on the natural landscape.

• If there is an atmospheric temperature inversion near the surface, or stagnant air characterized by no winds, then burning is not permitted.
• If the natural landscape is covered with dry fuels, burning will not be permitted so as to reduce the risk of wildfire.

Some states regularly use pile burns (e.g. from timber slash, orchard tear-outs, mixed brush, etc.) so that the fire does not go wild and so that there is enough heat flux to allow the plume to break through a temperature inversion.

Another common practice is prescribed fire, which simulates natural conditions and removes invasive species (e.g. on rangelands).

So, while North America does not typically employ "slash and burn" nomenclature, there is certainly a lot of slash being burned.