Burn ban issued for Sevier County

20 July 2022

Published by: https://www.texarkanagazette.com

USA – Sevier County Judge Greg Ray issued a burn ban for Sevier County this morning, effective Monday, July 18, 2022.

Miller and Sevier counties are now both under burn bans along with all Southwest Arkansas counties except Little River. Burn bans primarily prohibit activities that involve an open flame. This includes fireworks, campfires, trash burning, open flame grilling, and prescribed or controlled burns.

Last week, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division increased the wildfire danger risk level designations for all 75 counties.

Twelve counties in Northwest Arkansas were raised to the “high” risk level, and the remaining counties were rated as being at a “moderate” risk for wildfire danger. Additionally, 53 counties have been placed under a burn ban by local county judges, according to a news release from the department.

The Forestry Division maintains a county-by-county wildfire danger map with four risk levels: low, moderate, high and extreme. Risk levels are determined by drought status and long-term weather forecasts and are defined by how easily fires can start and how hard they are to contain. The wildfire danger map can be found at bit.ly/ARWildFireRisk. The risk level definitions are:

-Low: Fuels do not ignite easily. Weather conditions will lead to slow, easy to control fires.

-Moderate: Fire can start from accidental causes. May not become serious, but caution should be taken.

-High: Fires ignite easily and spread quickly. Unattended brush fires and campfires are likely to escape. Fires may become serious if not attacked early.

-Extreme: Fires start quickly, spread furiously and burn intensely. Every fire started has the potential to become large. Expect extreme, erratic behavior.

The Forestry Division asks those who see fires to report them by calling 1-800-468-8834 and to avoid flying drones in the area. When drones are present, those fighting the fires are unable to perform detection flights or fly single engine airtankers to drop water.

Find a county burn ban map at bit.ly/ARBurnBan. To learn more about burn bans in your county, find your local official’s contact information at arcounties.org/counties/.