The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division is reminding Arkansans that Wildfire danger is elevated across The Natural State, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division warned. There are currently 14 counties under a burn ban.
While Clark County remains under moderate burning conditions, the Office of Emergency Management said volunteer fire departments countywide have been regularly battling wildfires since Sunday, Feb. 18.
OEM director Tate Chanler said the largest fire in recent days was a 30-acre wildfire on Highway 84 near Amity. As that fire was bing fought, yet another broke out in the southern region of Clark County, near Gurdon, Chanler said.
While county officials urge residents to refrain from burning for now, Chanler had these words of caution: “If you choose to burn, do it with extreme caution and have an adequate water source nearby.”
It’s also a good idea, he said, to contact the Clark County Sheriff’s Office beforehand so your volunteer fire department will be prepared to act should the fire get out of control.
The Forestry Division maintains a county-by-county map that identifies wildfire danger risk levels, burn bans, and prescribed burns. County judges prescribe burn bans.
“Conditions are dry with low humidity statewide, and we are forecasted to experience periods of high winds in the coming days.” said State Forester Kyle Cunningham. “We are seeing an increase in the number of wildfires and their intensity, and that’s a trend that will continue until we see significant rainfall. With this in mind, we are asking citizens of the state to be mindful of this risk and avoid burning.”
Wildfire danger is broken down into four risk levels: low, moderate, high, and extreme. Risk levels are determined by drought status and long-term weather forecasts and are defined by how easily fires can start and how hard they are to contain. The risk level definitions are:
Low
Fuels do not ignite easily. Weather conditions will lead to slow, easy to control fires.
Moderate
Fire can start from accidental causes. May not become serious, but caution should be taken.
High
Fires ignite easily and spread quickly. Unattended brush fires and campfires are likely to escape. Fires may become serious if not attacked early.
Extreme
Fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. Every fire started has the potential to become large. Expect extreme, erratic behavior.
Currently, 42 counties in the state have been given the “high” designation, while the rest of the state remains under “moderate” risk levels. Additionally, the following 14 counties are under burn bans: Ashley, Carroll, Columbia, Faulkner, Fulton, Independence, Madison, Ouachita, Phillips, Searcy, Sharp, Union, Van Buren, and White.
Burn bans primarily prohibit activities that involve an open flame. This includes fireworks, campfires, trash burning, open flame grilling, and prescribed or controlled burns.
The Forestry Division is asking those who see fires to report them by calling 1-800-468-8834 and to avoid flying drones in the area. When drones are present, those fighting the fires are unable to perform detection flights or fly single engine airtankers (SEATs) to drop water.