What you should know about Arkansas’s burn bans

Little Rock, Arkansas – There was a burn ban in effect in almost fifty counties in Arkansas as of Monday night.

Although Pulaski County hasn’t yet received a burn ban, authorities say they’re prepared should one be implemented. Even though the concept of a burn ban appears simple, several people are unsure about its precise definition.

In essence, it states that there is a burn ban. It prohibits burning outdoors in any form, as Captain Brian Poe of the North Little Rock Fire Department pointed out.

County courts have the authority to issue burn bans, which are usually intended to regulate burning and reduce the amount of animal hazards.

For counties that permit open burning in residential areas, the implementation of a burn ban results in the prohibition of all actions.

Officials say the state’s climate is the first consideration when deciding whether or not a county should follow a burn ban, as residents of Arkansas seek to grasp the criteria used in this process.

We are examining the degree of dryness in the fuels. Meaning things like the amount of vegetation and the outside relative humidity,” explained Travis Shelton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Little Rock. “You know, [with] lower relative humidity there’s less moisture in the air, so that’s going to increase the fire weather risk.”

Shelton clarified that since wind speed may affect how quickly a fire spreads, the National Weather Service will also be considering wind speed.

Burn bans and dangerous wildfire conditions are spreading across the state, and with no rain expected in the near future. To find out your county’s wildfire risk and burn ban status, go to https://t.co/pXg7HMOtgC and help reduce wildfire risk. #arwx pic.twitter.com/8VN4UpE28q

Robert Murphy, the director of emergency services for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, asked why burn bans should be taken seriously since they reduce the likelihood of severe situations like house fires.

Here are some items that, according to officials, you should restrict or forbid while burn bans are in effect:

• Burning leaves
• Burning yard debris
• Grilling (Depending on what county you reside in, some counties classify grilling as an open fire outside).
• Land clearing
• Campfires

“Hand tools, like grinders or welders outside. Those are some things that can cause fires as well. Safety chains on trailers, make sure they’re up off the ground and not dragging and if you’ve got a flat tire, stop and change it,” he described.

Murphy stated that although the northwest region of Arkansas has the most burn prohibitions in effect, it is still advisable to be aware of potential fire hazards.