Poinsett County has issued a burn ban as elevated wildfire risks continue to affect large portions of Arkansas due to persistently dry conditions and strong winds.
According to Scotty Williams, the county’s Emergency Management Director, local volunteer fire departments have already responded to multiple roadside fires along Interstate 555. “We’ve already had several burns down Interstate 555 that our volunteer fire departments had to go out and put out,” Williams said.
Williams pointed out that many of these fires originate from vehicles. “On the interstate, it could be somebody pulling a trailer and the chain come off and hit the ground and it arcs the grass,” he explained.
Poinsett County now joins nearly 60 other Arkansas counties currently under burn bans, reflecting a widespread effort to mitigate wildfire risks caused by the ongoing weather conditions.
Residents are urged to remain cautious and adhere to the restrictions to help protect against the risk of accidental fires. For updates on burn bans statewide, residents can consult the Arkansas Forestry Division's website.