Large fire contained in Crawford County
MULBERRY, Ark. - Firefighters from several agencies in Crawford County responded to a large fire Tuesday.
The fire was reported near Chastain Road and Old Graphic Road near Mulberry. The fire was north of Interstate 40 and the Dyer community. The Arkansas Forestry Service also responded.
Jeff Frizzell, Arkansas Forestry Services district forester, said the fire threatened a mixture of farm structures and homes in a rural area where it started.
Two bulldozers and an air tanker were being used to fight the fire. He said he did not think evacuations were needed, and crews battling the blaze were confident they could keep it away from causing property damage.
"We are working hand and hand with the local agencies," Frizzell said. "Were experiencing very active fire activity."
Mulberry Fire Chief Jeff Brown said an outbuilding was destroyed. He said about 15 acres had burned, and there have been no reports of loss of life or injury.
Brown said residents in the area were on scene with their own personnel equipment helping out such as skid steers and bulldozers.
Brown said the fire was 100% contained Wednesday morning.
"We have 20-plus forestry personnel on scene now who were stationed in the area from California who are now working all the hot spots. Mulberry has crews on scene assisting the forestry," Brown said. "The burn ban is still in affect and discourage any outside burning, with conditions like they are thrown cigarettes and dragging chains are starting fires."
Most of the River Valley has experience extreme drought in recent days. A burn ban has been issued due to the dry conditions.
Winds up to 14 mph were reported in the Mulberry area Tuesday. There was a chance for rain Tuesday night and Wednesday, but no measurable rainfall was reported.
The burn bans remain in effect Thursday for western Arkansas and in eastern Oklahoma. Sebastian, Crawford and Scott counties remained under a burn ban for outdoor burning Wednesday. The next chance for rain is Saturday with a 30% chance after 1 p.m., the National Weather Service reported.
Thursday and Friday temperatures in Sebastian County will be in the upper 70s and low 80s with sunny skies and winds up to 20 mph that could fuel any wildfires.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Large fire was reported Tuesday in Crawford County
