Dry conditions, warm temperatures expected to continue for Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Several counties across Arkansas have issued burn bans and much of the state, excluding the northeast corner, is at a moderate or high level of wildfire danger.

Over 20 counties, including Washington, Pope, Garland, Clark, Hempstead and Union County, have a burn ban in place as of Monday just after 12:30 p.m., according to a map posted online by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

Another map from the department showed much of Arkansas is at a high or moderate level of wildfire danger as of Monday afternoon, with Northwest Arkansas and southwest portions of the state at a high level of wildfire danger. Central Arkansas, including Pulaski, Faulkner and Jefferson, are at a moderate level of wildfire danger.

Chris Buonanno, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in North Little Rock, said Monday that a large amount of the state is abnormally dry or drier than usual and that around a third of the state is facing moderate drought conditions.

“We’ve had a dry summer and recent conditions have enhanced drought conditions,” he said. “We haven’t had much precipitation since July with the remnants of Beryl and parts of eastern Arkansas saw some remnants from Helene.”

Buonanno added that Hurricane Milton — which is anticipated to strike Florida this week and has just been upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane — is not expected to impact Arkansas at all.

The forecaster said that while it is dry, it is not unusual for the Natural State to be dry in September and October.

“The best thing to do is be mindful of burn bans that are set by county judges and also pay attention to the folks at the forestry division, in the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, about the levels of wildfire danger,” he said.

Buonanno said that the dry and warm conditions are expected to remain in Arkansas.

“It’s looking like it is going to be dry possibly for the next several weeks,” he said.

A cold front will enter the state and might lower temperatures slightly in Central Arkansas for Tuesday, but then they will slowly climb back up to normal or above normal.