ARKANSAS, USA — Even though it's fall, that doesn't mean dry conditions can't spark fires across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley.
Officials announced Friday, Oct. 14, that the entire state of Arkansas is under an extreme wildfire risk.
The Arkansas Forestry Division announced counties that are under a burn ban including:
- Carroll
- LeFlore
- Madison
- Scott
- Sequoyah
- Washington
- Yell
Although drought conditions began in the summer months, the relative humidity helped reduce the number of fires. Moving into the fall, those relative humidity levels begin to decrease making things drier.
However the increased risk is not that uncommon this time of year, says Wesley McKinney, a fire management officer with the Arkansas Forestry Division.
"Usually, September, we're a dry month. Lower RHs, [relative humidity] and that's what we're seeing right now, but we haven't gotten out of the drought stage from the summer so that's making conditions a lot worse," McKinney said.
The Arkansas Forestry Division lists equipment malfunction, burning debris, lightning, vehicles and arson as the top instances that can spark a wildfire.
Officials say lawns, fields and wooded areas are exceptionally dry.
If you see a wildfire call and file a report at 1-800-468-8834.