LITTLE ROCK – Governor Sanders has authorized a crew of 10 wildland firefighters from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division to assist the State of Mississippi with their ongoing wildfire suppression efforts. Since August 1, the Mississippi Forestry Commission has responded to over 760 fires that have burned over 14,163 acres.
Due to extended drought in Mississippi, Forestry Division employees have been mobilized as part of the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact. The compact enables participating state forestry agencies to send resources and personnel across state lines to suppress wildfires.
The 10-person crew will be in Mississippi for a two-week period beginning October 10. The primary role of the crew will be to respond to and suppress new fires in Southern Mississippi. The Forestry Division will also send five dozers to assist in the wildfire response efforts.
Governor Sanders previously authorized the Forestry Division to send wildland firefighter crews to the Tiger Island Fire in Louisiana from September 8 to 23 and the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in Oregon from August 7 to 27.
