As much of Arkansas remains under a burn ban, fire officials are urging residents to take extra precautions in their daily activities to prevent accidental fires.
Jonesboro Fire Chief Marty Hamrick said the ongoing drought has significantly reduced moisture levels in grass, creating ideal conditions for fires to ignite. Routine activities such as outdoor cooking or lawn work can unintentionally spark fires under the current dry conditions.
“It has to do more with the drought and the moisture level in the grass and stuff itself,” Hamrick explained. “Right now, it’s really, really low. We’re so far behind on rainfall, it’s going to take quite a bit to get us where we need to be.”
Hamrick highlighted several often-overlooked fire risks, particularly related to vehicles. He explained that worn tires exposing internal steel belts can generate sparks on asphalt, igniting dry grass in roadside ditches and medians. Motorists towing trailers are also advised to check that safety chains are properly secured to avoid dragging, which can create sparks. “If you’re pulling a trailer and you’ve got safety chains or something like that that could be hanging too low, find a way to pick those up,” Hamrick advised. “Take them up a link or maybe zip tie them up a little bit so they’re not dragging. That helps eliminate sparks as well.”
Drivers should also avoid parking or idling in tall, dry grass. Exhaust systems, mufflers, and catalytic converters on vehicles can quickly reach high enough temperatures to ignite vegetation in seconds.
At home, residents are urged to use caution during outdoor cooking. Gas grills, which can be turned off quickly in an emergency, are recommended over open-flame alternatives.
With rainfall levels still far below what is needed to alleviate dry conditions, state and local officials continue to emphasize the importance of fire prevention measures to protect lives and property.