At approximately 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, the Rison Fire Department reported that it was dispatched to a structure fire in the 400 block of East Magnolia. The fire was extinguished, and no injuries were reported. Hwy 35 South Fire Department assisted. According to Keden Shrum with the Rison Fire Department, a controlled burn briefly got out of control before being extinguished. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division is reminding Arkansans that wildfire danger is elevated across the state, and currently, 14 counties are under a burn ban. While Cleveland County is not currently under a burn ban, it is considered high risk for wildfires. "Conditions are dry with low humidity statewide, and we are forecasted to experience periods of high winds in the coming days." said State Forester Kyle Cunningham. "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." A high risk means fires ignite easily and spread quickly. Unattended brush fires and campfires are likely to escape. Fires may become serious if not attacked early. The Forestry Division maintains a county-by-county map that identifies wildfire danger risk levels, burn bans, and prescribed burns. Find the map at mip.agri.arkansas.gov/agtools/ Forestry/Fire-Info. ...
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