Arkansas Department of Transportation Halts Mowing Operations Due to High Wildfire Risk
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has temporarily suspended mowing operations in areas of the state experiencing extreme drought conditions. This measure is a proactive effort to mitigate the risk of wildfires. Typically, fall mowing operations commence on October 1st and conclude by Thanksgiving across the state. ARDOT district engineers will continuously monitor drought severity using the U.S. Drought Monitor and assess local conditions to determine where mowing should remain suspended. The state's Department of Agriculture's wildfire tracker indicated only one active fire on Sunday, but Arkansas has reported 1,547 wildfires this year, burning a total of 38,276 acres. Fifty-three of Arkansas's 75 counties are currently under burn bans, and the entire state is designated as having a high risk of wildfires, meaning fires ignite easily and spread quickly, with unattended brush and campfires likely to escape and potentially become serious if not addressed promptly.
