Wildfire threats loom across state as drought conditions worsen

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Nearly three-quarters of the state of Arkansas is under some type of drought designation, and wildfires are becoming an increasing danger as dry weather continues to loom across the Natural State.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions exist throughout most of the state except for the extreme northeast corner. Most of the state is in stage 1 (moderate) or stage 2 (severe) drought. A pocket of counties in Northwest Arkansas is under the extreme designation, while parts of the Arkansas Delta are under the abnormally dry designation.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture noted that burn bans have been issued for 51 counties. The increased threat is primarily due to strong winds from a cold front combined with low humidity and dry conditions. To help residents understand the wildfire threat, the Department maintains a county-by-county wildfire danger map.

Wildfire threats loom across state as drought conditions worsen

Wildfire risks statewide remain high despite rainfall

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Many parts of the state received a soaking, prolonged rain Tuesday (Oct. 25), but state agriculture officials are still warning residents that many parts of the state are still under a serious wildfire threat caused by extended drought conditions.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division is reminding Arkansans that wildfire danger is elevated across the state and currently 62 counties remain under a burn ban.

“Conditions are dry with low humidity statewide,” said State Forester Joe Fox. “We are seeing an increase in the number of wildfires and their intensity, and that’s a trend that will continue until we see significant rainfall. With this in mind, we are asking citizens of the state to be mindful of this risk and avoid burning.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/10/wildfire-risks-statewide-remain-high-despite-rainfall/

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.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-10-03/arkansas-at-high-wildfire-risk-as-dry-conditions-worsen

Lack of rain impacting row crops, cattle; corn, soybean prices remain at decade highs

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Corn and soybean prices continue to soar upwards, but the lack of rain could eat into row crop farmers’ profits. Grain price hikes are negatively impacting cattle producers.

Less than an inch of rain has fallen in Jonesboro during the month of June, which is 56% less than normal, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures have consistently been in the mid-90s and have topped 100 degrees several days during the month.

The extreme heat and lack of rain are leading to abnormally dry conditions in some parts of Northeast Arkansas which is the stage before drought conditions set in, according to NWS. Counties with those dry conditions include parts of Clay, Fulton, Mississippi, Randolph and Sharp counties. The number of counties with abnormally dry conditions could grow when the NWS releases a drought monitor update in July.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/lack-of-rain-impacting-row-crops-cattle-corn-soybean-prices-remain-at-decade-highs/