Fire risk increases statewide due to drop in humidity, lack of rainfall

State foresters are reporting an increased risk for wildfires across Arkansas given declining humidity and an overall lack of rainfall.
State Forester Joe Fox told statewide media outlets in an interview this week that the Arkansas Forestry Commission is responding to up to a dozen fires each day. Usually, that fire figure ranges from two to three this time of year.
That’s largely due to the ongoing drought conditions across the state along with above average heat. Thirteen Arkansas counties are currently under burn bans, including Howard, Sevier, Hempstead, Polk, Pike and Montgomery Counties. 
The Arkansas Forestry Commission is monitoring the state through spotter planes in hopes of detecting fires before they become uncontrollable. The public is asked to be extremely careful and never toss a cigarette butt anywhere, don’t park a car over dry grass, and be mindful when operating in the hay pasture by staying away from rocks.
Statewide media outlets reported on Tuesday that there were 16 fires across Arkansas that day. In total, there have been 83 fires in Arkansas this month.