LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Army Corps of Engineers’ Little Rock District is advising park visitors to pay close attention to heat and fire danger warnings this Independence Day. Knowing and understanding the risks associated with your holiday plans is half the battle in preventing loss of time, money or even a life.
Wildfire danger, burn bans, severe drought, air quality alerts, and heat advisories are all factors to consider when making outdoor plans. Alerts and warnings indicate danger and should not be taken lightly.
For most of Arkansas and southern Missouri the threat is intensified by multiple warnings in each county. Multiple warnings issued for an area can create environments that are unsafe for campers or anyone outdoors, to include first responders and rescue workers.
Below is a list of resources to help you identify potential hazards in your area. Risk identification and proper planning might be the key to a successful and safe holiday celebration.
Arkansas:
Fire Danger – http://www.arkfireinfo.org/index.php?do:showWildFires
Burn Bans – http://www.arkfireinfo.org/index.php?do:showBurnBans
Drought Conditions – http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/?n=drought2012.htm
Air Quality Alerts – http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/
Heat Advisories – http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/
Missouri:
Fire Danger – http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=fire_weather
Burn Bans – http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/fire-management/wildfires
Drought Conditions – http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/?n=drought
Air Quality Alerts – http://airquality.weather.gov/sectors/missouri.php
Heat Advisories – http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/
For more information about recreation in the Little Rock District visit our Web and social media sites at www.swl.usace.army.mil, www.facebook.com/littlerockusace and https://twitter.com/#!/usacelittlerock