The Oklahoma and Mississippi National Guards have deployed aviation resources to assist Arkansas agencies in combating a wildfire near Camden that has consumed over 2,800 acres, officials confirmed Friday.
The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) requested aid as the Bunker Fire burned near the Highland Industrial Park, a site that houses several defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Both states have provided Chinook helicopters equipped with 2,000-gallon “Bambi buckets” designed for aerial firefighting.
A five-person crew from Mississippi began work Friday morning, while a six-person team from Oklahoma was set to join operations Friday afternoon. Both helicopter crews are expected to continue their suppression efforts through Monday and return to their respective states on Tuesday, according to the Arkansas National Guard.
“We appreciate Mississippi and Oklahoma for joining Arkansas in this coordinated mission. Their aviation support strengthens state and local agencies’ ability to contain the Bunker Fire,” said A.J. Gary, ADEM Director.
The fire, which began Monday, was reported as 75% contained Friday through the state’s online wildfire dashboard. While no injuries or property damage have been reported, the fire prompted temporary evacuations earlier in the week for residents and workers in nearby areas. Evacuees were cleared to return home by Tuesday.
In addition to the out-of-state support, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders activated the Arkansas National Guard earlier this week to assist with containment. Four Black Hawk helicopters equipped with “Bambi buckets” have been deployed since Tuesday, along with two bulldozers, a fire plow, and trained operators.
State firefighting efforts have intensified as all 75 counties in Arkansas face high wildfire risks. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture reports burn bans in 69 counties. Officials continue to monitor conditions with heightened vigilance amid ongoing drought and dry weather.
Both state and local authorities remain engaged in full-scale suppression efforts as conditions evolve.
The Bunker Fire is situated near an area of critical industrial infrastructure, but no immediate threats to the Highland Industrial Park or its tenants have been reported.