Arkansas Forestry Commission gears itself up for wildfires, with 20 counties under burn bans, seven at high risk of wildfire outbreaks

Audrey Dixon

HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas , June 1, 2012 (Associated Press) – The Arkansas Forestry Commission says firefighters are on standby to try to douse wildfires before they can get out of control.

The agency says 20 counties were under burn bans on Friday and that seven central Arkansas counties are at a high risk of wildfire outbreaks. The rest of the state is at moderate risk.

In the last several days, wildfires have started on state lands in Garland, Perry, Yell, Scott, Johnson, Pope and Conway counties.

The Sentinel-Record reports (http://is.gd/wrSlGo ) that in Garland County, mowing crews are carrying fire extinguishers in case mower blades strike rocks and spark fires in dry grasses.

The Forestry Commission is urging residents to obey burn bans.

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Information from: The Sentinel-Record, http://www.hotsr.com

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