Photographs by Arkansas National Guard
An Arkansas National Guard helicopter drops water on a wildfire in this image released Friday.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas is still under significant danger for wildfires despite recent rainfall and the problem will likely continue even with rain in the forecast for the coming days, the National Weather Service said Wednesday.
Despite the recent precipitation, most of Arkansas remains under a severe drought and more than a third of the state is under extreme drought. The conditions prompted Gov. Mike Beebe on Tuesday to seek a statewide disaster declaration.
The weather service warned Arkansans to avoid outdoor burning, adding a small fire to "quickly grow out of control given how dry vegetation is." The Arkansas Forestry Commission has the entire state under extreme fire danger.
"Rain chances will be in the forecast for much of the week," the weather service said in a statement. "But rainfall amounts will not be large enough to dampen the fire danger."
Thousands of acres of land have already burned in wildfires around the state.
MICHAEL BATTENFIELD TheBatt says...
At what point do authorities see the burn bans being lifted and the forrest service easing up on the "extreme danger" tag? Yes, I realize that a lot of tall (and short) grass has already been "burned up" by the extreme drought and heat, so it won't just "green up" in a few days of rain... but when areas are now soaked - does that not help with the burn risk, at least until it dries back out?
Posted 11 July 2012, 12:19 p.m. Suggest removal
RICK BOIGEGRAIN NickieD says...
The field behind my house is tall with dry grass. The rain did nothing for it but lay it down a little. There are young pine trees growing in one corner, pine trees lite up really easy and if the grass caught fire from a firework (for instance) it would easily spread to the small pines and from there to the bigger ones.
I own property down south and I can't get the tall grass cut because the mowers are afraid of starting a fire. If they don't want to work and make money because they are afraid of the dry conditions, then I must bow to their knowledge and experience rather than guessing if it was safe or not.
Posted 11 July 2012, 9:43 p.m. Suggest removal