From the text (p.2) ... 'Prescribed burning is an essential management tool in southern pine forests, particularly where bobwhite are the focal species....'(p.3) '...Hoever, over the last half of this century, the use of prescribed fire has declined throughout the region as ownership patterns have changed, suburbia has encroached on wildlands, and roads have dissected the pine woods. Perhaps though, it has been the proliferation of litigation that has most contributed to the demise of prescribed fire. These southern pinelands have endured a myriad of changes over the past 2 centuries, however, no change has had as great an ecological effect on the structure and composition of southern pine ecosystems as has fire exclusion....''...To benefit from this liability protection and to preserve the right to use fire as a management tool, it is important that landowners and managers understand what it means to burn legally and responsibly. Prescribed burn laws vary from state to state in their specific requirements, but in general these laws establish 3 or 4 conditions for liability protection. First, most state laws require that a trained, certified perscribed burner actually ignites the fire and is on site from the time of ignition until the burn is completely out. The second condition commonly required is development of a written fire prescription, or burn plan. The third condition is to conduct the burn in accordance with state rules, notification, and permitting procedures.'