ARKADELPHIA — County Judge Troy Tucker re-instated a burn ban Thursday afternoon for Clark County.

Conditions are too dry for burning, and until they improve it is illegal to set fire outdoors. All outside burning is prohibited and punishable by a $365 fine.

After a brush fire last Thursday prompted the response of three agencies, the county’s Office of Emergency Management urged residents to refrain from burning because of dry conditions. A second fire that day erupted near Curtis, causing damage to 98 acres of grassland and some timber. Two campers were also damaged in that blaze. The Arkansas Forestry Commission was called to aid with both of those fires.

OEM director Tate Chanler said that, since then, area fire departments have responded to an average of two grass fires a day.

“It’s extremely dry, very windy, there is no humidity and there is no chance of rain in the forecast,” Chanler said. “Any open burning can quickly lead to a fire getting out of control, putting property and individuals at risk along with our firefighters.”

This marks the second time this year Clark County has been placed under a burn ban. The first burn ban was active for more than three weeks.