Arkansas Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Arkansas - May 19, 2026

Overview

Arkansas is currently experiencing a moderate risk of wildfire danger (Level 2 out of 4) across the state. While the region has faced elevated fire risks and drought conditions over the last several months, incoming weather patterns are expected to bring beneficial rainfall to the area. The current National Preparedness Level is 2, indicating that while there is wildland fire activity nationally, state and national resources are adequately managing current incidents without severe strain.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, firefighters across Arkansas have responded to scattered, smaller wildfire threats. While widespread large-scale fires are not currently overwhelming the state, local crews are actively managing smaller incidents, monitoring dry vegetation, and maintaining initial attack readiness.

Key Fires:
There are currently no large, uncontained mega-fires threatening communities in Arkansas. Recent smaller ignitions have been primarily fueled by dry native grasses, leaf litter, and forest debris. Crews have successfully secured these areas and are actively monitoring them for hotspots.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: The Arkansas Forestry Division and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) continue to actively manage prescribed burns across the state as weather permits. These operations are essential for reducing hazardous fuel loads—such as grass thatch, leaves, limbs, and logging debris—to lower the chance of destructive wildfires.

Burn Bans: Approximately 21 counties remain under active county judge-issued burn bans, including Garland County and the City of Hot Springs, due to underlying dry conditions and drought. These bans prohibit all controlled burning, including yard waste and burn barrels.

Air Quality: Smoke from any ongoing prescribed burns or smoldering fires may impact local air quality. Residents are advised that proper ventilation is crucial, and burning is generally discouraged when smoke dispersal is fair to poor.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: A strong cold front is approaching the state from the northwest, bringing numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms.

Forecasted Weather: A Weather Impact Alert has been issued for Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of the state under a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe weather. Primary hazards include damaging wind gusts (over 58 mph) and large hail. While the anticipated 1 to 2 inches of rainfall will provide significant relief to ongoing drought conditions, the gusty winds can rapidly accelerate the spread of any existing smoldering fires, and lightning strikes from incoming storms pose a risk for new natural fire starts. A low-end flood risk is also present through Friday.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to strictly adhere to local burn bans and avoid any outdoor burning that could spark a wildfire. It is crucial to have an emergency plan in place and to clear dead brush and yard waste from properties to reduce the risk of fires spreading to structures.
Resource Allocation: Due to the manageable local fire activity, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture has deployed forestry personnel to support wildfire suppression efforts in neighboring states, such as Oklahoma, under the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division: agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.