Dangerous wildfire conditions continue across Arkansas, with 53 of the state’s 75 counties now under burn bans and 69 counties classified at HIGH wildfire danger.
According to the National Weather Service Little Rock wildfire danger and burn ban map updated Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 2:48 PM, restrictions extend across southern Arkansas, much of Central Arkansas and portions of North and Northeast Arkansas.
The updated map shows that all but 6 Arkansas counties are experiencing HIGH wildfire danger, while 6 counties in Northwest Arkansas remain at MODERATE danger.
Burn bans are affecting several communities across the ArkansasRadio.com listening area, including Searcy, Beebe, Heber Springs, Clinton, Fairfield Bay, Conway, Cabot and Ash Flat.
The National Weather Service reports that dry conditions and worsening drought continue to create favorable conditions for wildfires.
Residents are being urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor burning, follow local restrictions and use extreme caution with anything that could produce a spark or flame.
53 Arkansas Counties Currently Under Burn Bans
The following 53 counties are shown under burn bans on the National Weather Service map updated October 24, 2026, at 2:48 PM.
ARKANSAS COUNTIES UNDER BURN BANS — ALPHABETICAL ORDER:
- Arkansas County
- Ashley County
- Bradley County
- Calhoun County
- Chicot County
- Clark County
- Clay County
- Cleburne County
- Cleveland County
- Columbia County
- Conway County
- Craighead County
- Cross County
- Dallas County
- Desha County
- Drew County
- Faulkner County
- Garland County
- Grant County
- Hempstead County
- Hot Spring County
- Howard County
- Jackson County
- Jefferson County
- Lafayette County
- Lawrence County
- Lee County
- Lincoln County
- Little River County
- Lonoke County
- Miller County
- Monroe County
- Montgomery County
- Nevada County
- Ouachita County
- Perry County
- Phillips County
- Pike County
- Poinsett County
- Polk County
- Pope County
- Prairie County
- Pulaski County
- Saline County
- Scott County
- Sevier County
- Sharp County
- St. Francis County
- Union County
- Van Buren County
- White County
- Woodruff County
- Yell County
TOTAL: 53 COUNTIES UNDER BURN BANS.
County judges issue burn bans in Arkansas, and individual restrictions may vary depending on the county order.
Residents should contact their county judge’s office or local authorities to verify the restrictions currently in effect.
White, Van Buren, Cleburne and Sharp Counties Among Those Under Burn Bans
Several counties across North Central Arkansas and the ArkansasRadio.com coverage area are included in the latest burn ban map.
WHITE COUNTY — BURN BAN: The restriction includes Searcy, Beebe, Bald Knob, Pangburn, Judsonia, Kensett and other communities throughout White County.
VAN BUREN COUNTY — BURN BAN: The restriction affects Clinton, Fairfield Bay, Shirley and surrounding communities.
CLEBURNE COUNTY — BURN BAN: The restriction includes Heber Springs, Greers Ferry, Quitman and other communities in Cleburne County.
SHARP COUNTY — BURN BAN: The October 24 map identifies Sharp County as being under a burn ban, affecting communities including Ash Flat, Cherokee Village and Highland.
FAULKNER COUNTY — BURN BAN: Conway, Greenbrier, Vilonia and surrounding communities are included.
LONOKE COUNTY — BURN BAN: Cabot, Lonoke, England and surrounding communities are included.
JACKSON COUNTY — BURN BAN: Newport, Tuckerman and surrounding areas are included.
POPE COUNTY — BURN BAN: Russellville, Atkins and surrounding communities are included.
These counties are also classified at HIGH wildfire danger.
Residents should remember that a county burn ban is different from a wildfire danger rating. A burn ban is an official restriction issued by county authorities, while the wildfire danger rating describes the potential for fires to start and spread.
22 Arkansas Counties Not Currently Shown Under Burn Bans
The National Weather Service map identifies 22 Arkansas counties without county burn bans at the time of the October 24 update.
THE 22 COUNTIES ARE:
- Baxter County
- Benton County
- Boone County
- Carroll County
- Crawford County
- Crittenden County
- Franklin County
- Fulton County
- Greene County
- Independence County
- Izard County
- Johnson County
- Logan County
- Madison County
- Marion County
- Mississippi County
- Newton County
- Randolph County
- Searcy County
- Sebastian County
- Stone County
- Washington County
IMPORTANT: Not being under a county burn ban does not mean outdoor burning is safe or permitted in every location.
Of these 22 counties, 16 remain at HIGH wildfire danger. The other 6 counties are classified at MODERATE danger.
Residents should also check for municipal restrictions and other applicable fire regulations.
Batesville, Mountain View and Mountain Home Are Not Shown Under County Burn Bans
The October 24 map shows several North Arkansas counties without county burn bans.
Independence County, including Batesville, is not shown under a burn ban.
Stone County, including Mountain View, is not shown under a burn ban.
Baxter County, including Mountain Home, is also not shown under a burn ban.
Izard County, Searcy County, Fulton County, Marion County and Randolph County are among other North Arkansas counties without burn bans on the map.
However, all these counties are classified at HIGH wildfire danger.
This means that despite the absence of a county burn ban, fires may ignite easily and spread rapidly through dry vegetation.
Residents are encouraged to avoid outdoor burning until conditions improve.
An important geographic distinction is that the city of Searcy is located in White County, which is under a burn ban, while Searcy County is a separate county not shown under a burn ban.
69 Arkansas Counties Classified at High Wildfire Danger
The wildfire danger map shows HIGH danger across 69 of Arkansas’ 75 counties.
The HIGH category is represented by orange on the National Weather Service map.
HIGH wildfire danger means conditions are favorable for fires to ignite and spread quickly.
Dry grass, leaves, brush and wooded areas may provide fuel for rapidly spreading fires.
Unattended brush fires and campfires can escape control and become serious if firefighters cannot contain them quickly.
The HIGH category covers all of southern Arkansas, much of the central region, Northeast Arkansas and most counties in North Arkansas.
Residents throughout these areas are encouraged to take additional precautions around dry vegetation, outdoor equipment and potential ignition sources.
6 Northwest Arkansas Counties Remain at Moderate Wildfire Danger
Only 6 Arkansas counties are classified at MODERATE wildfire danger on the October 24 map.
- Benton County
- Boone County
- Carroll County
- Madison County
- Newton County
- Washington County
The MODERATE classification is shown in yellow on the map.
Although wildfire conditions are less severe in these counties than in the rest of Arkansas, accidental fires can still occur.
Residents should continue following safe practices and checking for local restrictions before conducting any outdoor burning.
Drought Conditions Continue to Increase Arkansas Wildfire Threat
The National Weather Service Little Rock reports that drought conditions continue to deteriorate across Arkansas.
Southern Arkansas has been particularly affected, with portions of the region experiencing EXTREME to EXCEPTIONAL drought. These are the D3 and D4 classifications on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale.
Extended dry conditions reduce moisture in grass, vegetation, leaves and wooded areas.
As vegetation dries, it can become easier for fires to start and spread.
Wind can further increase the danger by carrying flames, sparks and burning embers into surrounding areas.
Wildfires can threaten homes, businesses, farmland, timberland, wildlife habitat and nearby communities.
Officials emphasize that conditions can remain dangerous even in counties where no burn ban has been issued.
What Does an Arkansas Burn Ban Mean?
In Arkansas, county judges have authority to issue burn bans when conditions create a significant wildfire threat.
The restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of accidental fires.
Depending on the specific county order, prohibited activities may include burning leaves, grass, brush, debris and other materials outdoors.
Restrictions involving campfires, recreational fires and other outdoor flames may also apply.
Residents should not assume that every county has identical restrictions or exceptions. The exact requirements depend on the order issued by local authorities.
Violations of applicable restrictions may result in penalties.
Anyone planning outdoor burning should first verify whether a ban is in effect and review the restrictions with the county judge’s office or local fire officials.
Arkansas Wildfire Safety Precautions
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division and fire safety officials encourage residents to take precautions during periods of elevated wildfire danger.
RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS INCLUDE:
- Avoid unnecessary outdoor burning during dry conditions.
- Follow all county and municipal burn bans.
- Do not burn leaves, brush, grass or debris where burning is prohibited.
- Avoid activities that could create sparks near dry grass or vegetation.
- Use caution with lawn equipment, tractors, chainsaws and other machinery operating near combustible material.
- Properly extinguish cigarettes and never discard smoking materials into dry vegetation.
- Remove excessive dry leaves and other combustible debris from around homes and buildings when safe to do so.
- Keep emergency access routes clear for fire departments and first responders.
- Report unattended or spreading outdoor fires immediately.
- Follow updated fire danger reports from the Arkansas Forestry Division and National Weather Service.
Dry vegetation can allow an accidental fire to spread rapidly before emergency personnel arrive.
How to Report an Arkansas Wildfire
Anyone who sees a wildfire threatening people, structures, roadways or surrounding property should call 911 immediately.
ARKANSAS FORESTRY DIVISION WILDFIRE REPORTING: 1-800-468-8834
Residents should provide the location of the fire and any available information that could help emergency crews respond.
Do not attempt to fight a spreading wildfire if doing so would put anyone in danger. Emergency personnel should be allowed to handle situations involving rapidly spreading flames or threatening fire conditions.
Where to Check Current Arkansas Burn Bans
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division maintains the official wildfire danger and burn ban information system.
CURRENT ARKANSAS WILDFIRE DANGER AND BURN BAN MAP: Arkansas Forestry Division Fire Info
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK: weather.gov/lzk
These resources provide updated wildfire danger and county burn ban information.
County burn bans can change when local officials issue, modify or lift restrictions. Residents should check the latest information rather than relying on previously published county lists.
ArkansasRadio.com Continues Tracking Burn Bans and Wildfire Danger
With 53 Arkansas counties under burn bans and 69 counties at HIGH wildfire danger, residents across the state are encouraged to remain alert as dry conditions persist.
The October 24 National Weather Service map shows widespread restrictions across Central, Southern, Eastern and portions of Northern Arkansas.
The ArkansasRadio.com family of radio stations continues following burn bans, wildfire danger, drought conditions and public safety information throughout the listening area.
Residents in Searcy, Beebe, Heber Springs, Clinton, Fairfield Bay, Conway, Cabot and other communities under burn bans should follow their county’s restrictions.
Even in communities without an official burn ban, HIGH wildfire danger means an outdoor fire could spread rapidly.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture and National Weather Service provide updated information as conditions change.
SOURCE: National Weather Service Little Rock wildfire danger and burn ban map, updated Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 2:48 PM; Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division.
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