Governor Declares State of Emergency as Arkansas Battles Wildfires

LITTLE ROCK, AR. - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a state of emergency across Arkansas following a series of severe wildfires. The declaration, effective as of August 20, 2026, allows the state to provide critical assistance and funding to jurisdictions struggling to contain the blazes.

A primary concern is the fire in Union County, which has burned approximately 2,328 acres. While state forestry officials report the fire is now 80% contained (as of press time), they warn that it is not yet fully under control. Officials believe lightning may have sparked some of the flames.

Arkansas State Forester Kyle Cunningham attributed the intensity of the fires to a drought that has lasted for more than a year. He noted that the region's pine plantations act as "heavy fuels", becoming extremely flammable during prolonged dry spells. In addition to Union County, fires have also been reported in Lincoln County and near the Crossett Airport in Ashley County.

In response to the crisis, Governor Sanders authorized the deployment of two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to assist with water-drop operations. She also allocated $250,000 from the Governor's Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to cover administrative and program costs for emergency management.

The fires have had a significant local impact, forcing approximately 150 residents to evacuate to shelters in the Lawson and El Dorado areas. To ensure the safety of firefighting crews, Entergy temporarily de-energized power lines in affected zones. Fortunately, no injuries or deaths have been reported.

To keep the public informed, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture has launched a new wildfire dashboard, allowing residents to track active fires and acreage in real-time. Currently, North Central Arkansas is at a ":Moderate Risk" for wildfires, and burn bans are now in effect for CARROLL, MARION and SEARCY counties. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Wildfire Dashboard can be accessed here.

Officials urge the public to strictly adhere to local burn bans, particularly when engaging in activities such as welding or bush hogging.

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