EL DORADO, Ark. (KTVE/KARD) — Officials with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, advised residents that 50 Arkansas counties are currently under burn bans, while an additional 25 counties remain at high risk for wildfires.
State officials said the entire state continues to face an elevated wildfire threat due to ongoing dry conditions. Burn bans have been issued by county judges in areas where wildfire concerns are particularly significant.
“The entire state remains at high risk for wildfire, and burn bans are in place for 50 counties,” officials said. “Ongoing very dry conditions are expected through the week, and elevated wildfire potential will likely persist for several more weeks. We urge Arkansans to stay aware of these conditions and use caution. Even in counties not currently under a burn ban, the risk of fires escaping and becoming severe remains high.”
Burn Ban Counties (50)
Arkansas, Ashley, Baxter, Bradley, Calhoun, Carroll, Chicot, Clark, Cleveland, Columbia, Conway, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Lincoln, Little River, Lonoke, Madison, Miller, Monroe, Montgomery, Nevada, Ouachita, Perry, Phillips, Pike, Poinsett, Polk, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saint Francis, Saline, Scott, Sebastian, Sevier, Union, White and Woodruff.
High-Risk Counties Not Under Burn Ban (25)
Benton, Boone, Clay, Cleburne, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Johnson, Lawrence, Logan, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Randolph, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, Washington and Yell.
Understanding the Risk Levels
Wildfire risk levels are determined using fuel conditions, drought status and long-range weather forecasts. The categories are based on how easily fires can start and how difficult they may be to contain.
- Low: Fuels do not ignite easily. Weather conditions lead to slow fire spread and fires are generally easier to control.
- Moderate: Fires can start from accidental causes but may not become serious. Caution is still recommended.
- High: Fires ignite easily and spread quickly. Unattended brush fires and campfires are likely to escape control, and fires may become serious if not attacked early.
- Extreme: Fires start quickly, spread aggressively and burn intensely. Any fire has the potential to become large and exhibit extreme or erratic behavior.
Officials are urging Arkansans to avoid outdoor burning, properly dispose of cigarettes, secure trailer chains that could create sparks, and remain vigilant while conditions remain dry across the state. They say that the elevated wildfire danger is expected to continue through the coming weeks unless significant rainfall returns to the region…