AFC outside burning precautions
The Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) asks residents to contact the AFC Dispatch Center (1-800-468-8834), the local office (870-448-5014), and/or the Searcy County Sheriff's Office (870-448-2340) before conducting a controlled burn.
The AFC reports that debris burning and incendiary burning (arson fires) are the top two causes of out-of-control wildfires. This has been a consistent trend for the last decade. Preventing this statistic moving forward takes participation from, all of us, and you can help!
Citations can be issued according to various laws pertaining to burning. For a copy of an AFC Fire Law Handbook please contact your local Arkansas Forestry Commission office.
Before conducting a burn, please take the following precautions:
Contact your local fire department to make sure a burn ban has not been issued for your area or visit www.arkfireinfo.org for 24-hour statewide Burn Ban updates.
Make sure you have extra tools, such as shovels and rakes, water and enough help to keep your burn under control.
A fire line is be plowed around the area to be burned. Large fields should be separated into small plots for burning one at a time.
Check the weather forecast for the day. Windy, dry days are not suitable for burning.
See statewide Red Flag Warnings here: www.forestry.arkansas.gov/Pages/RedFlagWarning
When reporting a controlled burn (1-800-468-8834). please provide the following:
Name of the individual conducting the burn;
GPS, Section, Township and Range, or street address of the burn;
Number of acres to be burned, and
Type of fuel or debris to be burned
The mission of the Arkansas Forestry Commission is to protect Arkansas's forests, and those who enjoy them, from wildland fire and natural hazards while promoting rural and urban forest health, stewardship, development, and conservation for all generations of Arkansans. For more information, visit www.forestry.arkansas.gov. To report a wildfire, call the AFC Dispatch Center at 1-800-468-8834. To report an emergency, dial 911.