On Saturday, dry conditions mixed with warm weather and wind made for dangerous burning conditions. The Lawrence County Dispatch Center began receiving calls reporting fires out of control around noon. Walnut Ridge Fire Department was dispatched to Alpine Street at 2:01 pm for a grass fire, shortly after Sedgwick was sent to another grass fire off Hwy 91. Walnut Ridge was again paged to grass fire off Waylan’s curve on the side of the road. Dispatch then sent law enforcement to Hwy 91 to close the highway as Walnut Ridge battled yet another fire with closed both 91 and 67 for a short period as firefighters contained these.
At 3:42 pm Sedgwick was again paged to a grass fire on Hwy 228 that was getting close to a house, Hoxie was requested for mutual aid by Sedgwick. The home was destroyed by the fire before firefighters could arrive. While Sedgwick and Hoxie battled the grass and house fire, Bono requested help from Sedgwick for a fire n their district. At 3:54 pm Lynn was paged to a grass fire endangering a structure about 3 miles outside of Lynn on Hwy 361, Lynn arrived and was able to protect the structure.
At 4:45 pm Hoxie firefighters were sent to SE 2nd Street for a grass fire along a ditch.
At 5:06 pm the Walnut Ridge Fire Department was paged to a large grass fire located behind Bud Jones Used Cars. At 5:22 pm the Ravenden Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a grass fire on Hwy 90. Walnut Ridge requested mutual aid from Hoxie for their large grass fire, Hoxie arrived with several trucks and firefighters. At 8:37 pm as Walnut Ridge and Hoxie continued to battle the large grass fire, Portia was requested for mutual aid to assist. Black Rock was also called to assist Walnut Ridge at 8:42 pm. Sedgwick was called to assist as high winds continued to push to fire, Arkansas Forestry was also called to assist.
By 11 pm the fire departments had the blaze under control and were putting out hot spots, no injuries were reported in the blaze. For more information on the Walnut Ridge Fire Department visit www.walnutridgefd.com .