ARKANSAS, USA — Burn bans continue to pop up across the state and with that comes an increased risk of possible wildfires.
Recently, the state has been experiencing dry and windy conditions which means it was a busy weekend for fire crews as they worked long hours to put out flames.
Although a couple of departments said that Monday was a little calmer, they're still on high alert.
"We had seven grass fires that we responded to in North Little Rock yesterday, which is about seven more than we normally have," said Rick Albers, the Assistant Fire Chief for North Little Rock FD.
Chief Albers explained that when the humidity is low, the ground is dry and winds are high, it's pretty easy for fires to spread.
Even something as small as throwing a cigarette out your car window could start a fire in these conditions.
"We see those by the freeway all the time. You know, people throw it out, it gets in the median and the wind picks it up," he added.
Since some of the fires were in more rural areas with no fire hydrant access, smaller departments with tanker trucks assisted, including the West Pulaski Fire Department and the Crystal Fire Department.
"In order to meet that demand. We formed the tanker task force about three years ago, and we provide that service to any fire department in Pulaski County, Saline County. We even went to Lonoke County two years ago to assist them with a fire," said Scott Joblin, Fire Chief for West Pulaski.
Chief Joblin said the Pulaski County Tanker Taskforce comes in handy on days like Sunday.
He also said that the group which consists of several local departments moved more than 130,000 gallons of water.
"We have to back each other up, especially when like yesterday, there's a huge fire that exhausts the resources that are available," he described.
According to Wesley Mckinney with the Arkansas Forestry Division, spring fire season is off to an early start.
"Since February 1, we've had 137 fires for 4322 acres," Mckinney said.
Even if you don't have a burn ban issued where you live, he recommends you hold off on burning things for a few more days.
"Just hang on until we get some rain and then it'd be calmer conditions and you control that burn a little easier," he added.
For a full list of burn bans in Arkansas, please click here.