The photo above is taken from the Petit Jean River Valley Overlook on Highway 309 at Mount Magazine State Park. I took the shot on the way back from a meeting in the park. You may notice the smoke in the distant Ouachita Mountains. This is what is called a controlled or prescribed burn. These are done throughout the state parks and USFS land. They help keep fire dangers down during the dry season and also help some plant species that rely on the occasional fire to make growth possible. Since we tend to run around putting out any fires even when they are naturally started this is jus a way of putting things right.
When done right the forest area recovers quickly, older trees are not damaged and trails are unharmed. Just thought you might want to know.