Another controlled burn in Fulton County got quickly out of control Wednesday, scorching more than 200 acres. KY3 news reports firefighters from two local departments and the Arkansas Forestry Commission worked for over six hours fighting the fire that got away due to windy, dry conditions.
On Wednesday morning, the fire began as a 125-acre controlled burn behind the Bear Creek Quilt Shop just south of Viola. By noon, winds caused the fire to jump a fire line. The Viola and Byron volunteer fire departments were called in to battle the blaze.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission spent hours creating new fire lines to keep the fire contained while also knocking down snags that could cause future wildfires to spark up.
They say they will likely be back out Thursday checking hot spots. A spokesperson from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department early Thursday morning says there have been no reports of any flare-ups.
The commission reports Baxter, Marion, Fulton, Izard, Stone and Searcy counties are six of the nine counties under moderate risk of wild fire danger across the state.
Thursday’s forecast calls for 15-25 mile per hour winds. Firefighters ask that if you have to burn, please take every precaution while doing so. They say Wednesday’s fire is a good lesson on how fires can be unpredictable.
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