2013 Wildfire Outlook Worries Those Who've Experienced Fires Before
By: Josh Berry
Updated: November 30, 2012
Nearly 30 percent of the Natural State remains in wildfire danger.
During the Thanksgiving holiday a wildfire burned more than 300 acres in central Arkansas.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission worries if we don't get rain now, next year could be worse than last summer's wildfire outbreaks.
Those folks who had the fires literally in their front yards are saying "Not again!"
Wind breaks the silence on the porch of Charles Berry's home in Faulkner County. Which is just how he likes it.
That wasn't the case though back in June. One of many of the states wildfires charred his land.
"This is the first time we've ever experienced fires like that," Berry remembered.
He considers himself lucky.
"I'm thankful it didn't burn up any more homes than it did out here."
Two nearby homes were destroyed; leveled by flames. The drought didn't start the fire but extremely dry conditions didn't help. Berry's stock pond now is clear evidence of extreme drought.
"First time since I owned this place it ever went dry."
He's had his land more than four decades.
Another nearby pond dried up too but it's clear with the dark remains left around it that the fires definitely contributed. Could this just be a shadowy forecast of what's to come next year?
"It's not going to do anything but get worse," explained Arkansas Forestry Commission, Fire Management Officer, Bill Chaney.
While we've had just enough rain to cool off the Wildfire Danger Map, it still hasn't been enough to penetrate soil moisture. This leaves a daunting outlook for Chaney who knows that with successive droughts, he's going to have a very busy Spring and likely Summer. That's something those that have been through it before don't want to hear.
Berry added, "It's gonna get worse before it gets better I'm afraid if we don't get moisture."
Every day in the forecast especially next Tuesday (12/4) has folks keeping their fingers crossed in hopes for substantial rain.
During the Thanksgiving holiday a wildfire burned more than 300 acres in central Arkansas.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission worries if we don't get rain now, next year could be worse than last summer's wildfire outbreaks.
Those folks who had the fires literally in their front yards are saying "Not again!"
Wind breaks the silence on the porch of Charles Berry's home in Faulkner County. Which is just how he likes it.
That wasn't the case though back in June. One of many of the states wildfires charred his land.
"This is the first time we've ever experienced fires like that," Berry remembered.
He considers himself lucky.
"I'm thankful it didn't burn up any more homes than it did out here."
Two nearby homes were destroyed; leveled by flames. The drought didn't start the fire but extremely dry conditions didn't help. Berry's stock pond now is clear evidence of extreme drought.
"First time since I owned this place it ever went dry."
He's had his land more than four decades.
Another nearby pond dried up too but it's clear with the dark remains left around it that the fires definitely contributed. Could this just be a shadowy forecast of what's to come next year?
"It's not going to do anything but get worse," explained Arkansas Forestry Commission, Fire Management Officer, Bill Chaney.
While we've had just enough rain to cool off the Wildfire Danger Map, it still hasn't been enough to penetrate soil moisture. This leaves a daunting outlook for Chaney who knows that with successive droughts, he's going to have a very busy Spring and likely Summer. That's something those that have been through it before don't want to hear.
Berry added, "It's gonna get worse before it gets better I'm afraid if we don't get moisture."
Every day in the forecast especially next Tuesday (12/4) has folks keeping their fingers crossed in hopes for substantial rain.
