A large field and woods fire erupted Saturday afternoon about 1 mile west of Warren along Bradley 363.
The fire burned several acres and came within a few feet of the Bryan and Lauren Case residence. Several chicken houses owned by Gary Green were also threatened. However, at presstime, it appeared that no buildings were damaged.
“I’m very appreciative of the support of the fire departments. It could very well have gone in the other direction,” said Lauren Case.
Fire departments responded from Pleasantville, County Line, Bradley County Rural and Warren. Arkansas Forestry Commission also sent several dozers to create fire lines. Several airplanes were employed to make water drops.
The fire started about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. As of 4:30 p.m., it was still not fully contained. No immediate cause was reported. High wind gusts and extremely dry conditions have created extreme fire danger throughout the state, with almost every county, including Bradley County, under burn bans.
SRC has been told by at least one homeowner in the area that their home is under threat.
Multiple sources have told SRC that some people are evacuating the area.
Several firefighting aircraft are continually taking off from the Warren Municipal Airport to help try and contain the fire.
Arkansas Forestry observer aircraft has reported that up to an estimated 1,000 acres may have already burned.
Saline River Chronicle is following this story and will add any further information to this article.
7:27 p.m. Update:
Robert Murphy, emergency services director of Arkansas Department of Agriculture, was among personnel on the fire scene. He said that it appeared that the fire was spread across about 750 acres among multiple landowners.
There was no structural damage reported and the fire was about 75 percent contained as of 7 p.m. Saturday. However, he indicated stronger winds were expected Sunday, which could increase the fire danger.
Bradley County Sheriff Herschel Tillman ordered a roadblock on the Old Camden Road at the Bradley County Park entrance at Bradley 220. He said no evacuations were ordered but residents were strongly advised to do so. Only residents were being allowed into that area.
Murphy said aircraft were brought in to assist with the fire including one Air Attack airplane based at Malvern and two single-engine air tankers stationed at Hot Springs.
Seven Arkansas Forestry Commission bulldozers were brought in along with three contractor bulldozers.
A second call-out was made for assistance from fire departments in Sumpter, Banks and Hermitage.
Unconfirmed reports indicated the fire might have been started by some cardboard boxes being burned near a burn barrel.
Tillman said the Sheriff’s Department, along with the Department of Agriculture, would be doing a full investigation as to the cause of the fire.
The fire got close to Hypoint Farms and apparently jumped across Bradley 17. Efforts to contain the fire continued into the night Saturday.
Video courtesy of Sharon Balentine
