Benton Co. Issues Red Flag Burn Ban | Environment

On Tuesday Benton County officials issued the first Red Flag burn ban in recent months.

“Due to current conditions and the lack of recent precipitation we felt this to be a necessary step”, said, Marc Trollinger, Benton County Fire Marshal. “The Red Flag burn ban allows us to monitor conditions and issue a ban on open burning one day at a time.”

Several factors are reviewed by the County Fire Marshal on a daily basis to determine fire potential. These include past and present weather conditions, humidity levels, fire spread index forecasts and any warnings or statements issued by the National Weather Service in conjunction with local representatives of The Arkansas Forestry Commission.

Benton County has two types of burn bans. The first and most often used is the “RED FLAG” ban on open burning. On days when unsafe or unfavorable burning conditions exist the County Fire Marshal or his representative will issue this type of burn ban and no open burning will be allowed in the unincorporated areas of the county. The second type of burn ban is issued by the county judge via a court order declaring a ban on burning when local circumstances and conditions make fires a hazard to the health and safety of citizens and their property. This court ordered burn ban is typically used when the bans will be for an extended amount of time.

When a Burn Ban is issued, Benton County will issue statements via local news media and through The Benton County Alert Notification System known as BC Alert. The BC Alert system can deliver important alerts, notifications, and updates to your phone, email, or text device. Benton County citizens can sign up at www.bcalert.com for alerts and notifications.

Although this ban on open burning does not interfere with outdoor cooking, grilling or the sell and use of fireworks within unincorporated Benton County, officials urge citizens to use extreme caution when conducting these activities. Cities within Benton County have the authority to implement more stringent rules and regulations as deemed necessary by their administration.