BY LEANN DILBECK –
Several prescribed burns in the area are causing significant smoke. A prescribed fire is one that is ignited by highly trained fire personnel under specified fuel and weather conditions to achieve specific resource objectives. Currently, the forest ground is covered with significant debris from ice storms this winter and could potentially be a wildfire hazard.
Officials from the USFS explained that national forest fire managers are currently conducting prescribed burns in areas across the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests today.
Ouachita National Forest:
Mena/Oden County: Scott Vicinity: Ritz Acres: 73
Jessieville/Winona/Fourche County: Yell Vicinity: Rover Acres: 695
Oklahoma County: McCurtain Vicinity: Buffalo Acres: 4156
Poteau/Cold Springs County: Scott Vicinity: Waldron Acres: 4864
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests:
Pleasant Hill County: Johnson Vicinity: Hagarville Acres: 3993
Big Piney County: Van Buren Vicinity: Jerusalem Acres: 950
Sylamore County: Baxter Vicinity: Lone Rock Acres: 879
Boston Mountain County: Franklin and Crawford Vicinity: Bidville Acres: 2406
Air quality will be compromised during these burns so if you suffer from COPD, please take appropriate precautions.
Daily prescribed fire updates can also be found at: www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita or by calling 1-888-243-1042.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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