Officials warn of continued fire danger for region

Enhanced fire danger is still a threat in the Texarkana area, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La.

Conditions are very dry because of lack of rainfall.

“It has been way dry for fall,” said Texarkana, Ark., Fire Marshal Stephen Johnson.

Burn bans remain in effect in Miller, Bowie and surrounding counties, but area firefighters are still concerned that people are burning in the extremely dry conditions.

Extreme drought conditions have developed over southern McCurtain County, Okla., and western Little River County, Ark.; western Bowie County, Texas; and Morris, Cass and Marion counties in East Texas.

Moderate drought conditions are in place in Sevier, Howard, Hempstead and Nevada counties in Southwest Arkansas.

“I was behind someone the other day who threw a cigarette out the window, and it’s way too dry for that,” Johnson said. Isolated showers and thunderstorms were possible late Friday over parts of Southwest Arkansas, but Johnson said not enough rain is forecast to make a difference.

“Even if we get a little rain, it will still be dry. A lot of the time, we get flash rains, but it runs off pretty quick. It doesnt have a chance to saturate the ground,” Johnson said. Rainfall amounts will not be significant, according to NWS.

Fire officials offer area residents the following tips during the dry conditions:

Do not throw lit cigarette butts on the ground or out of car windows.

Report any fires to a local fire department or law enforcement agency.

Never park a vehicle on dry grass or leaves.

Avoid driving through tall grass.

Watch for sparks that result from engines or equipment.