Arkansas at high wildfire risk as dry conditions worsen
KUAR | By George Jared / Talk Business & Politics
Drought conditions have worsened throughout the Arkansas Delta and there will be impacts to farmers as the harvest season unfolds. The lack of rain has been so severe that the Mississippi River is at its lowest level in a decade and it is the eighth lowest level ever recorded for the river, National Weather Service Meteorologist Samantha Brown told Talk Business & Politics.
There hasn’t been any precipitation in the region in almost two weeks and that won’t change in the short-term forecast, and there’s nothing in the long-term modeling that indicates any change at this point, Brown said.
“Drought conditions are worsening. There’s no chance of rain that I can see for the next seven days and even further,” she said.
The entire Delta is under abnormally dry, moderate or severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. A low-pressure trough has stalled over the mid-South region, and there is no indication it will move anytime soon, Brown said.
Burn Ban for most of Arkansas; Drought continues
Maps from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture & Arkansas Forestry Commission
33 counties are currently under a high wildfire danger risk. As dry conditions continue, it's important to be aware of what you can do to help prevent wildfires.
Arkansas Cattlemen's Association
All of Arkansas is in a drought for the first time in 10 years. Conditions are rough for all of agriculture.
Hay production has all but stopped in the majority of the state, with estimates of drastically less hay harvested this year and a need to start feeding it soon because of limited grass.
Cattle are being sold at a drastically increased rate at Arkansas livestock markets because of limited grazing.
The ACA and Governor Asa Hutchinson have requested a USDA Drought Disaster Declaration for the entire state of Arkansas.
The ACA has also requested $3.5 million for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to create a new program to help producers through this time - the Arkansas Emergency Feed Assistance Transportation Program.
This program would provide financial assistance to producers on transportation costs of feedstuffs, including hay, during this drought.
How can you help? Share this post to raise awareness, be prepared to contact your legislators if we make a call to action, and take care of yourself and your herd in this heat.