Bans on outdoor burning Garland County and Hot Springs announced last week have both been lifted as temperatures reached triple digits Thursday.
The city removed its ban Wednesday, Hot Springs Fire Chief Ed Davis said, noting that a permit is still required to burn inside the corporate limits. Garland County lifted its ban Thursday.
"There's moisture in the ground with the rain we've had over the last few days," Davis said Thursday. "At this point, you should be able to burn without violating any of the safety guidelines from the Arkansas Forestry Commission. We want to do what we can to help people as far as maintenance of their yards.
"You can burn natural ground cover as long as you get a permit and until such time as weather conditions warrant another burn ban."
The airport at Hot Springs Memorial Field from Sunday to Wednesday reported a 0.08-inch rain total, but other areas in the county have reported more substantial amounts.
Entergy Arkansas Inc.'s weather station at the east branch of Gulpha Creek on Bald Mountain Road registered a 0.42-inch rainfall Monday, and a 0.15-inch accumulation was reported west of the city at the Sunshine Road station on the Big Mazarn Creek Monday. To the south, at the Little Mazarn Creek station near South Moore Road, a 0.16-inch total was reported Monday, followed by 0.01 and 0.02-inch amounts Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Carpenter Dam station reported a 0.13-inch total Monday through Wednesday, and Remmel Dam in Hot Spring County reported a 0.21-inch amount over that time.
A 0.37-inch rainfall was reported Monday through Wednesday in Sheridan, where the drought index reading for the Arkansas Forestry Commission's six-county District 5, which includes Garland County, is taken. Wednesday's 600 index showed the ground was holding more water than when the city and county imposed burn bans last week.
The zero-to-800 scale measures moisture levels in the top 8 inches of the soil, with zero representing full saturation and 800 extreme drought. A 727 index was reported July 10.
The airport reported a 103-degree air temperature at 3:53 p.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service placed Garland County, along with much of central and southern Arkansas, under a heat advisory until 9 p.m. today.
The advisory said that heat and humidity will combine to produce heat index values of around 105 to 110 degrees.
The Weather Service said a heat advisory means a period of hot temperatures and elevated humidity levels will produce high heat index values and may create a situation where heat illnesses are possible.
"The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible," the advisory said. "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
"Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
"Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location."
Local on 07/20/2018