NEBCO Fire-EMS

03/02/2026

On behalf of the NEBCO Fire-EMS Board of Directors, along with our staff and volunteers, we would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported our 20th Annual Chili Cook-Off. We are continually humbled by the generosity and support of our amazing community. ❤️

Congratulations to our 2026 winners!

🌶 People’s Choice Awards
🥉 3rd Place – Lumpy’s Truckin’ Chili – Cook: Scott House
🥈 2nd Place – Ozark Mountain Propane #2 – Cook: Jim Wilkins
🥇 1st Place – The Agency of NWA – Cook: Kaela House

🏆 Judge’s Choice Awards
🥉 3rd Place – Freedom Bank of SWMO – Cook: Carolyn Bell
🥈 2nd Place – The Agency of NWA – Cook: Kaela House
🥇 1st Place – Jason Howard – Sponsor & Cook

Thank you again for supporting NEBCO Fire-EMS. Your continued support helps us serve and protect our community.

We hope to see everyone at our Memorial Day Breakfast on Monday, May 25th from 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM!

🎟 We still have raffle tickets available for a Polaris Power P5500 Open Frame Generator, generously donated by HITT Brands and Polaris.
Tickets are $20 each and only 150 tickets will be sold. Drawing to be held at Memorial Day Breakfast.

For raffle tickets or more information, contact our office at 479-359-3134 or email office@nebcofireems.org

We appreciate each and every one of you! 🚒

03/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported NEBCO Fire-EMS at our Chili Cook-off today; we greatly appreciate your support. We will post the winners on Monday.

02/26/2026

The Pine Hollow prescribed burn is planned today, February 26, 2026 on the Mark Twain National Forest. This is a 4,000 acre burn, being done in partnership with Roaring River State Park.

An interactive location map is available: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=18Z0ZFwIuU34IozglKUL92imRGtqCiUlx&hl=en&femb=1&ll=36.55781486892873%2C-93.79133665679358&z=12

Nearby Recreation Areas Include:
🔹 Sugar Camp Lookout Tower
🔹 Sugar Camp National Scenic Byway

Nearby Towns (closest to furthest) are:
🔹 Eagle Rock (east)
🔹 Chain-O-Lakes (east)
🔹 Cassville (north)
🔹 Gateway, AR (southwest)
🔹 Busch, AR (south)

For your safety:
🛑Please follow posted signs
🛑Do not enter burn areas
🛑Expect smoke visibility in and around the burn
🛑Slow down near fire equipment and crews

This is an aerial ignition burn, so you may see or hear helicopters in the area.

For More Information
For more information on prescribed burning please visit the Fire Management Page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/marktwain/fire/management

For information on planned prescribed burns for 2026 please visit the Fire Information page and view the map at the bottom of the page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/marktwain/fire/info

02/26/2026

The 20th Annual NEBCO Fire-EMS Chili Cook-Off is this coming Saturday! There is still time to participate! If you are interested in sponsoring a booth, volunteering to serve desserts or donate a dessert, please reach out to us at 479-359-3134 or email us at office@nebecofireems.org. NEBCO Fire-EMS is a 501 (c) 3 organization and 100% of all proceeds go toward our mission of providing Fire & EMS services! Hope to see everyone there!

02/25/2026

We are proud to announce that our very own Paramedic/Firefighter McKenzie Biswell has been selected as a Top 5 Finalist in the Muscle & Fitness HERS Magazine Ms. Health & Fitness Competition! 💪🔥
McKenzie was chosen from over 5,300 contestants across the United States, an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to her dedication and hard work.
All proceeds from the competition benefit the B+ Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families, funds childhood cancer research, and raises awareness in the fight against childhood cancer. 💛
McKenzie has been with NEBCO Fire-EMS since November 2024. She attended the OSU Fire School and obtained her Paramedic certification from the Texas School of EMS. In addition to serving our community at NEBCO Fire-EMS, she also works part-time for Fort Smith EMS.
When she isn’t on duty, McKenzie enjoys fitness pursuits, traveling, and kayaking. In the future, she plans to pursue her Critical Care certification.
We are incredibly proud of McKenzie and all she has accomplished — and we’re honored to have her representing NEBCO Fire-EMS on a national stage! 👏🔥

02/24/2026

The Benton County Fire Marshal has issued a 24-Hour Countywide Burn Ban through 2/25/26 at 6:30AM.

No outdoor, open burning is permitted.

For more information:https://bentoncountyar.gov/fire-marshal/burn-ban-information/

02/23/2026

🔥🌶️ It’s Almost Here! The Chili Cook-Off Is This Weekend! 🌶️🔥

There’s still time to get in on the fun!

👨‍🍳 Want to compete? We have a few spots left for teams!
🏢 Interested in sponsoring but need a cook? No problem — we can help with that!
🍰 We need dessert donations!
🙋‍♀️ Volunteers needed to serve desserts & drinks:
• 10 AM – 12 PM
• 12 PM – 2 PM

This event is always a great time filled with good food, friendly competition, and amazing community support. We would love to see everyone come out and join the fun!

📞 Call our office at 479-359-3134
📧 Email us at office@nebcofireems.org

02/22/2026

The Benton County Fire Marshal has issued a 24-Hour Countywide Burn Ban through 2/23/26 at 9:00AM.

No outdoor, open burning is permitted.

For more information:https://bentoncountyar.gov/fire-marshal/burn-ban-information/

02/19/2026

Please do not burn today.

02/19/2026

FYI.

Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations Friday through Sunday, February 20 to 22, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, some areas inside the park, including roads and trails, may be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.

Weather conditions permitting, up to 450 acres of fields and forest will be burned to maintain and restore the historic landscape of the battlefield area. The reduction of available fire fuels and invasive plant species are additional goals of the prescribed fire operation.

Though fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities, smoke-sensitive individuals may want to avoid outside activities on the day(s) of the operation.

For additional information on whether prescribed fire operations will occur on any given day, please call the park’s Visitor Center at (479) 451-8122.

02/19/2026

The burn ban has been extended.

The Benton County Fire Marshal has EXTENDED the 24-Hour Countywide Burn Ban through 2/20/26 at 7:30AM.

No outdoor, open burning is permitted.

For more information:https://bentoncountyar.gov/fire-marshal/burn-ban-information/

02/18/2026

The burn ban has been extended for another 24hrs

The Benton County Fire Marshal has extended the 24-Hour Countywide Burn Ban through 2/19/26 at 7:30AM.

No outdoor, open burning is permitted.

For more information: https://bentoncountyar.gov/fire.../burn-ban-information/