The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is urging Arkansans to stay alert as wildfire danger continues to rise across the state.
All 75 counties are now designated at a high wildfire risk, and more than 65 counties have active burn bans. Persistent drought and extremely dry vegetation have created conditions where fires can ignite easily, spread quickly, and become difficult to control.
Wildfire risk levels are determined using current fuel dryness, drought indicators, and long‑range weather forecasts. Unattended campfires, debris burning, and other outdoor flame sources can escape containment in moments.
Recommended
Precautions
To help reduce the likelihood of wildfire ignition, the Department urges residents to:
Avoid all outdoor burning, including campfires, trash burning, grilling with open flames, and any prescribed or controlled burns.
Never leave an outdoor flame unattended.
Use caution when driving or operating machinery near dry vegetation. Avoid driving over tall, dry grass; ensure trailer chains do not drag; and do not drive on flat tires.
Properly extinguish and dispose of cigarettes—never discard them outdoors.
Smoke or fire should be reported immediately to the Department at 1‑800‑468‑8834 or to local authorities.
Arkansans can monitor current conditions by checking the Department’s county‑by‑county fire map, viewing active incidents on the wildfire dashboard, and following updates on social media.
Arkansas is home to more than 18.8 million acres of forests and over 11.5 billion trees. The Department protects more than 15 million acres of non‑federal forestland through seven districts across the state, where foresters and rangers work daily to prevent, detect, and suppress wildfires. The Department currently maintains a force of 175 wildland firefighters, 110 bulldozers, and an aviation detection and response fleet to support wildfire response in all regions of Arkansas.
