Burn bans issued for more Arkansas counties

The number of county judge-issued burn bans throughout the Natural State is growing daily.

The Arkansas Forestry Division’s latest map detailing wildfire danger puts the latest number of burn bans in eight counties, all but one of them in the southern half of the state.

Clark County’s bordering neighbors, Dallas and Ouachita counties, were under burn bans as of Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Other South Arkansas counties with a burn ban are Sevier, Union, Bradley, Jefferson and Chicot. Prairie County, east of the state capital, is also under a burn ban as now more than half the state lists either a “moderate” or “high” threat of wildfire danger.

All counties south of Clark list a “high” threat.

The next round of expected precipitation is due Thursday, with increased chances by Friday afternoon and into the evening hours, according to the National Weather Service in Little Rock. Chances of showers and thunderstorms Friday is 70% for the Arkadelphia area. The NWS forecast shows a potential for a rainy weekend ahead, as well as some smaller chances of precipitation into early next week.