While the mammoth California wildfires continue to burn in the West, a major fire near Boxley, Ark. in Newton County is raging through a path close to the Buffalo River, and it’s expected to worsen.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has info here while Mountain Home’s Baxter Bulletin has coverage here.
The National Weather Service in Little Rock issued this Red Flag Warning for our area earlier today regarding wildfire risk:
.The combination of breezy conditions…very low relative
humidity values and low fuel moisture levels will create Red Flag
conditions this afternoon. Many areas are also in severe to
extreme drought…so even in areas where winds may not get as
strong…the low humidity and very dry conditions will still
generate dangerous wild fire conditions. Expect some improving
wild fire conditions by this evening as winds decrease and
humidity values increase. However…no rainfall is forecast for
the next several days…so a high wild fire danger will persist.
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CST
THIS EVENING FOR BREEZY WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES…AND LOW
FUEL MOISTURE levels FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 003, 004, 005, 006,
007, 012, 013, 014, 015, 016, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 030, 031,
032, 033, 034, 037, 038, 039, 040, 041, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046,
047, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 062, 063, 064, 065, 066, 067,
068, AND 069…
The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a Red Flag
Warning, which is in effect from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM CST
this evening.
* AFFECTED AREA: Fire weather zones 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 012,
013, 014, 015, 016, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 030, 031, 032,
033, 034, 037, 038, 039, 040, 041, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 047,
052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 062, 063, 064, 065, 066, 067,
068, and 069.
* WIND: Expect 20 foot winds to increase to over 15 mph by early
this afternoon…with some gusts over 20 mph possible.
* HUMIDITY: Expect humidity levels to drop below 25 by this
afternoon…with some areas in the higher terrain of the Ozark
and Ouachita Mountains seeing humidity levels possibly drop
below 15 percent.
* IMPACTS: Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
are either occurring now….or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds…low relative humidity…and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
