Listening area remains under burn ban, some relief coming this week

All of the listening area remains under a burn ban following another week of three digit temps and just not enough rain.
Despite a thunderstorm that brought some quick but much needed relief last week, county officials say it just wasn’t enough to reduce the wildfire risk posed by the otherwise drought-like conditions. At this time, Howard, Pike, Sevier, Little River, Hempstead and Nevada all remain under a burn ban. In fact, 69 of Arkansas’ 75 counties remain in a burn ban due to a shortage of rain and excess of heat across the state.
Under a burn ban all outdoor burning is prohibited.

There is some hope on the horizon, however. Forecasters with the National Weather Service are currently predicting a half-decent chance of rain starting late this week. Today, Friday, Saturday and several days into next week all carry at least a 30 percent chance of rain. That chance grows even stronger into the weekend. Besides the rain, a much needed reduction in daily highs is expected with Saturday’s high set to be a rather balmy 90 degrees.