Sebastian County's official burn-ban notice. County officials say outdoor burning remains prohibited until hazardous dry conditions improve. Image: Sebastian County Government.
Hey Fort Smith — the heat warning may be over for the night, but another problem has gotten worse across Arkansas.
As of Wednesday evening, all 75 Arkansas counties are now under burn bans because of extremely dry conditions and growing wildfire danger.
State forestry officials say Arkansas has recorded more than 300 wildfires since Aug. 1, and they're describing this as the worst fire season they've seen in more than a decade.
For us locally, this isn't just one of those statewide warnings that doesn't really apply here.
Sebastian County's burn ban remains in effect, and Crawford County has also been operating under a countywide burn ban.
Sebastian County's official order prohibits outdoor burning of trash, debris, brush and other materials until conditions improve enough for the county judge to lift it.
And we've already gotten a reminder this week of how fast a fire can take off around here.
A wildfire near Mt. Harmony, Burnsville Road and Breezy Lane in Sebastian County burned several acres after strong winds and lightning combined with extremely dry vegetation.
Milltown-Washburn firefighters, Arkansas Forestry crews and other responders were able to contain it.
But crews had to deal with hills, valleys and difficult terrain while trying to stop it from spreading.
That's the kind of situation local fire departments are trying to prevent right now.
And here's something people need to understand: one rain shower does not automatically end a burn ban.
We've had parts of the River Valley get rainfall recently.
That doesn't mean the entire county suddenly has enough moisture to remove the fire danger.
Crawford County fire officials made that point after storms brought rain last month.
One side of the county might get wet while another barely gets anything.
And Arkansas Forestry officials are now saying it's going to take more than one good rain to pull the state out of the current conditions.
The ground, grass, brush and wooded areas have been drying for weeks.
A quick thunderstorm can make the top of everything look wet while dry fuel underneath is still waiting on a spark.
And that's another part of this people sometimes miss.
A wildfire doesn't always start because somebody intentionally built a huge fire.
Sometimes it starts with something stupidly small.
Arkansas forestry officials are specifically warning drivers about trailer chains.
A chain dragging along the pavement can throw sparks straight into dry grass along the side of the road.
The state's forestry guidance also warns about cigarettes, ATVs, farm equipment, machinery and basically anything else that can throw a spark into dry vegetation.
That's pretty relevant around the River Valley.
We've got rural highways, fields, wooded property, trailers, farms and miles of dry roadside grass.
So if you're pulling a trailer, take ten seconds and look underneath it.
If a safety chain is hanging low enough to hit the pavement, secure it.
And don't throw a cigarette out the window thinking it'll burn itself out.
Not in these conditions.
Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz put the county's current burn ban into effect Aug. 12 because lawns, fields and wooded areas had become exceptionally dry.
The county specifically prohibits outdoor burning of trash, debris, brush and other materials while the order remains active.
Sebastian County says violations can result in fines ranging from $25 to $300 under the county ordinance.
Arkansas law also makes burning flammable material in violation of a properly declared burn ban an unlawful-burning offense.
So this isn't a suggestion.
And don't assume it expired because we got rain or because nobody mentioned it today.
A burn ban stays in effect until the county officially lifts it.
Sebastian County says residents who want to verify the latest status can contact River Valley Communications Center dispatch at 479-709-5100 or 479-783-1051, option 1.
For Crawford County, the County Judge's Office directs residents to check current announcements or call 479-474-1511 before burning if there's any question about the current restriction.
Hey Fort Smith — and everybody across the River Valley — here's why we're bringing the burn ban back up tonight:
The statewide situation has now reached the point where every Arkansas county is under one.
More than 300 wildfires have been reported since Aug. 1.
A wildfire already burned several acres in Sebastian County this week.
And forestry officials are saying one good rain isn't going to reset everything.
So don't burn the brush pile.
Don't burn the trash.
Check your trailer chains.
Be careful with anything that can throw sparks around dry grass.
And if you see smoke where it shouldn't be, don't assume somebody else already called it in.
For an uncontrolled fire or anything threatening people or property, call 911.
Arkansas Forestry also lists 1-800-468-8834 for reporting wildfires.
Community takeaway: All 75 Arkansas counties are now under burn bans as the state's wildfire situation worsens. More than 300 wildfires have been reported since Aug. 1, Sebastian County's existing burn ban remains in effect, Crawford County has also been under a countywide ban, and firefighters have already dealt with a multi-acre wildfire in Sebastian County this week. Don't assume recent rainfall lifted anything — check before burning and avoid anything that can throw sparks into dry grass or brush.
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Sources: Arkansas wildfire update — all 75 counties under burn bans · Sebastian County — official burn-ban order · Crawford County Judge — current burn-ban information · Arkansas Department of Agriculture — Forestry Division
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