5 states sending teams to assist Arkansas in battling wildfires

Teams from Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina are being deployed to Arkansas to assist in battling wildfires that have burned thousands of acres, the state Department of Agriculture said Tuesday.

The department said in a news release that the state has activated the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact to support firefighting efforts. 

“Arkansas has seen a string of wildfires across our state these past few months, and we’re grateful to our friends across the South for the support they’re providing us in the fight,” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in the news release. “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.”

The teams being deployed to Arkansas consist of bulldozers, engines and additional personnel.

The state has responded to more than 500 wildfires since Aug. 1 that have affected more than 11,000 acres. 

The Oklahoma National Guard and Mississippi National Guard provided helicopters last week to assist battling a wildfire near a Camden industrial park where several defense contractors are located. That fire is 90% contained as of Monday, according to the state’s online wildfire dashboard.

Helicopter crews have dumped 406,920 gallons of water on the fire, according to the Arkansas National Guard. There have been no reports of injuries or buildings damaged from the blaze.

“I’m incredibly proud of the entire team that has worked tirelessly to contain this wildfire and protect the people and critical defense capabilities at Highland Industrial Park,” Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general, said in a news release.

All of Arkansas’ 75 counties are at high risk of wildfire, according to a state Department of Agriculture map. There are burn bans in 68 counties. 

Arkansas has responded to more than 1,400 wildfires since the beginning of the year, the department said.