Wildfire in Montgomery County

A lightning-caused fire was detected Friday, July 29. The High Peak Fire is on a rugged, steep ridge area approximately four miles northeast of Norman, Arkansas, in Montgomery County.

The fire was started by lightning from thunderstorms that occurred in the area during the past week. The 120-acre wildfire is being allowed to burn, with close monitoring to determine when full-suppression measures are necessary. If the fire progresses to the control lines, it could be 2,500 acres within the next several weeks.

The High Peak Communication Tower has been secured and is being closely monitored. At this time, there are no closures in the area. “Before visiting the area, visitors are urged to call the ranger district at 870-867-2101 for current status. The safety of the public and our firefighters will always remain our top priority,” said Caddo-Womble District Ranger Gloria Chrismer.

Fire Team Leader Glen Fortenberry explained, “We are managing the fire as a wildland fire using other than full suppression efforts. This allows us to consider firefighter safety in rugged terrain with limited access, as well as potential resource benefits and natural barriers. We can take a more holistic approach to manage the fire with public and employee safety foremost, utilizing natural fire barriers with less resource damage and be more economically efficient.”

Specialists are utilized to help efficiently and effectively manage the fire. District Fire Management Officer Ben Rowland is the Fire Manager for the High Peak Fire.

“Although we’re not actively suppressing the fire at this time, the fire is managed,” said Glen Fortenberry, Fire Team Leader for the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.

“The fire is being monitored as it burns across the landscape, he continued.“ As needed, fire managers may use specific wildfire suppression techniques to protect areas such as private structures or stands of commercially valuable timber. These techniques may include both direct and indirect fire attack tactics such as building firelines and backfiring, aerial ignition to lessen fire intensities or aerial suppression actions. When necessary, these actions are designed to diminish smoke impacts, to ‘steer’ the fire away from areas where damage might occur or to simply put that part of the fire out.”

This strategy differs from a “full suppression” action in number of important ways. With full suppression, immediate action is undertaken to control wildfires as quickly as possible. When human improvements such as homes, outbuildings and other structures are imminently threatened, the “full suppression” approach is absolutely necessary.

Some firelines will be constructed, but much less than if a full suppression strategy were used. Firefighters will be exposed to far fewer hazards including risks associated with firefighting in high temperatures, falling snags, steep terrain with poor access, insects and snakes. The environmental effects will be monitored both during and after the burn.

Currently, Montgomery County is not under a burn ban.