More than 500 wildfires have burned through Arkansas since the beginning of August, consuming over 11,000 acres as prolonged drought and worsening weather conditions persist. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture reported that since January, officials have responded to 1,457 wildfires affecting more than 37,000 acres statewide.
With wildfire activity continuing to escalate, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has activated the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact, allowing Arkansas to access additional firefighting resources from neighboring states. Five wildfire task force teams from Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina are being deployed to Arkansas to assist with firefighting efforts. The teams bring vital resources, including bulldozers, fire engines, and additional personnel.
State Forester Kyle Cunningham emphasized the strain on local resources. “Wildfire activity has grown significantly under current conditions, and our crews have been working around the clock to keep Arkansans safe,” Cunningham said. “We are grateful for the support from our partner states and proud to participate in a compact that ensures resources can move quickly when any state in the region needs assistance.”
The compact, managed by the Southern Group of State Foresters, facilitates resource-sharing in situations where wildfire activity exceeds a state’s capacity. Arkansas has previously provided assistance through the program, fulfilling 19 requests for aid earlier this year.
Governor Sanders thanked the participating states for their support as Arkansas crews face unprecedented wildfire challenges. “The resources our partners provide will be instrumental as our foresters, rangers, and National Guardsmen work long days and nights to protect Arkansans’ homes and businesses,” she said.
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward noted the state’s coordinated efforts to combat the fires, which include assistance from the Arkansas National Guard and several state agencies, including the Arkansas Department of Transportation, Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, and Arkansas State Police. Federal resources and support from the Mississippi and Oklahoma National Guards have also been mobilized.
Among the recent incidents was a significant wildfire in the Camden area, where an Arkansas National Guard Black Hawk helicopter was deployed last week to support ground crews.
Wildfire danger remains high across the state as crews work tirelessly to contain the flames and reduce threats to homes and businesses.