The little precipitation that fell this weekend on the Arkadelphia area was a drop in the bucket for what’s needed to improve dry conditions.
Despite Saturday’s light rain, the Arkansas Division of Forestry heightened the wildfire risk for a large swath of the western half of the state, including Clark County, from “high” to “extreme”.
Under extreme conditions, fires start quickly, spread furiously and burn intensely. Every fire started has the potential to become large. Expect extreme, erratic behavior from any fire outdoors.
Clark County remains under a burn ban. Outdoor burning is strictly prohibited, and punishable by a fine.
Gusty southerly winds Monday and Tuesday, coupled with above-average temperatures, increase the wildfire danger as conditions remain very dry.
Judge proclaims county as drought-stricken area
Clark County Judge Troy Tucker said he intends to keep the ban on until the forestry division determines the area is no longer in danger of wildfire. Since the ban was issued on Oct. 5, residents have generally obeyed the ban, Tucker said, adding he was not aware of any citations issued to residents for burning.
The judge issued a proclamation last week, proclaiming Clark County as a drought-stricken area, the purpose of which is to possibly secure funding for local farmers in the event the state or federal government releases disaster funds.
Relief in sight
There could be some relief in sight, as the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Little Rock points to widespread rainfall across the region over the next seven days, through Nov. 4. Expect 1-2 inches of rain across most of Arkansas, with the highest totals in northern and western sections of the state.
An approaching cold front from the west is expected to bring with it scattered thunderstorms into the western half of the state Wednesday evening and night. Arkadelphia is included in an area of marginal risk for damaging wind gusts and hail. Areas farther west and north, from Mena to Fayetteville, have a higher risk for severe weather.
The daytime hours Thursday are likely to be stormy, with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m.
As of Monday, the Halloween forecast for the witching hour of peak trick-or-treating time, 6-9 p.m., calls for 20% chance of showers with the temp dropping to a cool but pleasant 49°F.