The governor’s office announced today the release of $100,000 from the Governor’s Disaster Fund to help with the response to wildfires in the state. The funds will go to the Arkansas National Guard.
Since Friday night, ANG has been the primary source of air support and water drops for the firefighting efforts. Today alone, Black Hawk helicopter crews have conducted more than 40 water drops in Clark, Cleveland, Dallas, Nevada and Polk Counties. Dozens of additional water drops have been made since Friday in Benton, Garland, Pike and Scott Counties. On the ground, 46 guardsmen have helped firefighting efforts at and near Fort Chaffee.
There are currently burn bans in 54 Arkansas counties, with the entire state under a high fire danger warning. The Arkansas Forestry Commission reports nine counties with active fires burning as of Monday afternoon.