LO GAP

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The LO GAP Fire ignited on Friday, April 17, 2026, in Van Buren County, Arkansas.
Size and Containment: As of the latest reporting over the last 72 hours, the fire has burned approximately 760 acres. Official containment percentages have not yet been reported by responding agencies, though some active fire dashboards currently list it at 0% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire is a rapidly emerging incident burning in dry surface fuels, primarily consisting of tall grass and brush. Its growth has been driven by an elevated fire risk environment characterized by dry vegetation, low humidity, and periodic high winds.
Containment Efforts: The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division is managing the state's non-federal forestland response. While specific resource allocations for the LO GAP Fire have not been detailed in public reports, the Forestry Division has recently deployed advanced technologies across the state, including AI detection and GPS, to improve response times and firefighter safety. The current National Preparedness Level for the region is 2, indicating that wildland fire resources are stable and capable of managing current incidents effectively.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: At this time, there are no reported mandatory evacuation orders for the LO GAP Fire.
Evacuation Warnings: There are currently no reported evacuation warnings.
Curfew: No curfews have been announced for Van Buren County.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: No emergency shelters have been established at this time. Residents should remain vigilant and monitor local county emergency channels for updates.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• There are currently no reported road closures, school closures, or infrastructure impacts associated with this fire.
• If the fire spreads, local authorities may limit access to county roads near the fire perimeter to allow emergency apparatus to move safely.

For more information, visit:

• Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Forestry Division
• iDrive Arkansas (for real-time road closures)
• Van Buren County Official Website

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the LO GAP Fire.
Structures Impacted: There is currently no information indicating that structures have been damaged, destroyed, or threatened by this fire.
School and Business Closures: No school or business closures have been announced in Van Buren County due to the fire.
Notable Impacts: No notable people or landmarks have been reported as impacted by the blaze.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No power outages have been reported in connection with the fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported at this time.
Burn Bans: While Van Buren County's specific status may vary, 21 counties in Arkansas are currently under active burn bans due to underlying drought conditions. Residents should exercise extreme caution and avoid any outdoor burning.
Air Quality: Smoke from the 760-acre fire may impact local air quality. Residents in the immediate vicinity, especially those with respiratory conditions, are advised to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and monitor local air quality advisories.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Official containment projections for the LO GAP Fire have not yet been released. Firefighters will continue to work the perimeter, but operations may be complicated by incoming weather patterns.
Weather and Wind Warnings: The National Weather Service forecasts very warm temperatures peaking in the upper 70s to 90 degrees, alongside periodic high winds and low relative humidity. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible over the coming days. These storms could bring damaging winds and lightning, which may cause erratic fire behavior and complicate firefighting efforts.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the LO GAP Fire is currently under investigation and has not been publicly released.
Weather and Climate: Arkansas is currently navigating an elevated fire risk environment, with the entire state under a moderate to high risk of wildfire danger. The state has experienced significant drought conditions, and April 2026 is currently ranking as one of the driest Aprils on record. This lack of rainfall, combined with above-average temperatures and gusty winds, has created a volatile environment where fires can start easily from accidental causes and have the potential to spread rapidly.

For more information, visit:

• Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Forestry Division
• iDrive Arkansas (for real-time road closures)
• Van Buren County Official Website