More counties post burn bans

PHOTO: The latest map of countywide burn bans in Arkansas. The map is subject to change. | Arkansas Forestry Division

Nearly 30% of Arkansas counties were under burn bans Tuesday, March 3, as drought conditions and wildfire risks worsen.

Eleven of the 21 counties under a burn ban were in the southern half of the state. Since a recent report posted Saturday, when a large grassfire about 10 miles southeast of Arkadelphia prompted county Judge Troy Tucker to issue a burn ban for Clark County, neighboring Ouachita County (Camden) has been placed under a burn ban.

While under a burn ban, all outside burning is prohibited and punishable by a $365 fine. Residents may use barbecue grills for cooking so long as they are attended.

With the exception of counties in the northwestern and north-central portions of the state, where the wildfire risk remains High, the rest of Arkansas is under a Moderate risk of wildfire danger, meaning fires can start accidentally and become serious.

Drought conditions have worsened in Clark County since mid-February. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, released on Feb. 26, places most of the county under D2 Severe Drought, the third-highest category on a scale between D0 Abnormally Dry to D4 Exceptional Drought. The area around DeGray Lake is now under D3 Extreme Drought.

Some relief is in sight, however, as the National Weather Service in Little Rock is forecasting high chances of precipitation in coming days, particularly late Friday through Sunday. The several inches of rainfall that is expected should reduce the high end drought conditions currently in place.