| Governor Sanders has authorized a crew of six wildland firefighters from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division to assist the State of Louisiana with their ongoing wildfire suppression efforts. Approximately 40,000 acres of wildland fire have impacted the State of Louisiana and a third of the state continues to experience extreme drought conditions. Forestry Division employees are being mobilized as part of the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact. The compact enables participating state forestry agencies to send wildland firefighting resources and personnel across state lines to assist with wildfire suppression. The six-person crew will assist with the Tiger Island Fire for a two-week period beginning September 20. The primary role of the crew will be to check and maintain existing firebreaks. The Forestry Division will also send trucks and ATVs with water tanks to assist with the wildfire response efforts. Governor Sanders previously authorized the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to send a Division Supervisor to supervise several fire suppression crews assigned to the Tiger Island Fire in Louisiana from September 8 to 23. The Tiger Island Fire is under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. For more information on the fire, visit inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lalas-tiger-island-fire. Governor Sanders authorized two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Arkansas National Guard’s 77th Theater Aviation Brigade to assist the Louisiana National Guard’s wildfire suppression efforts from August 31 to September 7. Similarly, the Governor has also previously authorized a four-person crew from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Forestry Division to deploy to Oregon from August 7 to 27 to assist with wildfire suppression in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture, forestry, and natural resources to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while conserving natural resources and ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. |
Governor Sanders Authorizes Deployment of Arkansas Wildland Firefighters to Assist Louisiana
September 21, 2023 by
