WILDFIRE DANGER UPDATE from the Arkansas Forestry Commission as of 4pm CST, Jan. 17, 2014: The ENTIRE STATE of Arkansas is now under MODERATE FIRE DANGER. Independence County (Batesville) is under a BURN BAN. With little to no rainfall expected over the next week, fire danger is likely to increase to HIGH to EXTREME...and the number of counties under BURN BANS is likely to increase as well. A RED FLAG WARNING for extreme fire danger was issued for Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties this afternoon. Additional RED FLAG WARNINGS may be necessary in the coming days. Any and all OUTDOOR BURNING is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED...whether you have a permit from your city or county Fire Department or not. The dry and dormant vegetation, combined with low humidities (dewpoints were around zero degrees earlier today), and gusty winds, will promote the rapid spread of any wildfires that develop. As noted earlier, in some areas, if its determined that a wildfire started on your property, you will likely be held financially liable for damages, and to the cost for each fire company dispatched...and that starts around $1500 or more. You may also face additional fines, arrest, and imprisonment. As a side note, if I had my way, as soon as fire danger in a county went to MODERATE, it would mean an AUTOMATIC BURN BAN...with no need to wait for County Judges to issue them.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 22:18:37 +0000
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