CLARK, COUNTY, Ark. (Arkansas Forestry Commission) A frontal passage caused wind shifts and increasing winds which hit the Clark County fire near Gurdon Sunday, causing 100 foot flames. This caused erratic fire behavior and the fire had increased to an estimated 200 acres as of 6 p.m.
Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATS), brought in by the Arkansas Forestry Commission are working to contain the flames. The AFC has five crews working, along with Potlatch to contain the blaze along with the SEATS and AFC's detection planes.
The U.S. Forest Service is working with the AFC to suppress two fires northwest of Blue Mountain Lake. One of the fires is estimated at 40 acres and is behaving erratically.
Arkansas Forestry Commission crews are working to suppress six wildfires. Two fires are burning in Benton County, and there are also fires in Clark, Logan, Newton and Yell Counties. Crews are responding to fires quickly and most fires have been less than 10 acres.
Fires have been suppressed in Howard, Izard, Lawrence, Lonoke, Miller, Garland, Hot Spring, Logan, Carroll, Conway, and Cleburne counties.
With the extreme heat, heat exhaustion can be an issue for fire suppression crews.
Due to the extreme fire danger, any spark can cause a fire. Be mindful that sparks from lawn mowers and hay baling equipment can start fires.
Never park vehicles where grass or other vegetation can touch the exhaust system. Never discard cigarettes from vehicles. Fires can grow quickly and spot fires from the main fire can cause problems for fire suppression efforts.
County Judges have issued burn bans in 70 of Arkansas's 75 Counties and the Arkansas Forestry Commission has rated the fire danger as Extreme for the entire state.
FireWise is a nationwide program that promotes creating a defensible space around homes to help protect buildings from wildfire. Communities and fire departments can earn state and national recognition by participation in the FireWise program and fire departments can become eligible for grants. By using FireWise construction techniques and landscaping techniques, both old and new buildings can be FireWise.
For tips on protecting your home from wildfire, visit www.arkansasfirewise.com. To view current burn bans and wildfire danger ratings, visit www.arkansasforestry.org. To report a