02/24/2026
UPDATED 2/23/26 11:30AM: South Fourche Cove Unit burn near Jessieville, Ark. may now have smoke impacts in Hot Springs, Ark.
The Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests will conduct multiple prescribed burns today, February 23, 2026.
OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST
Burn Name: South Fourche Cove Unit 2
Acres: 1682
District: Jessieville/Winona/Fourche
Garland County near Jessieville, Ark.
SMOKE ALERT: Smoke will impact parts of Highway 7. There will be smoke signs in place. Smoke may be visible and impact the town of Hot Springs, Ark.
Burn Name: Vanderslice Unit 1,2,3,4
Acres: 2936
District: Jessieville/Winona/Fourche
Garland County near Avant, Ark.
Burn Name: Posey Hollow
Acres: 693
District: Mena/Oden
Polk County near Pine Ridge, Ark.
TRAIL CLOSURE ALERT: The Ouachita Trail will be closed from Mile Marker 83 to Mile Marker 86 and is expected to reopen today.
Burn Name: North Blue
Acres: 3099
District: Oklahoma
Leflore County near Hodgen, Okla.
Burn Name: Little Fir 7
Acres: 598
District: Caddo/Womble
Montgomery County near Mt Ida, Ark.
Burn Name: PCS Sugar Cree 4 & 5
Acres: 2,481
District: Poteau/Cold Springs
Scott County near Waldron, Ark.
OZARK-ST. FRANCIS NATIONAL FORESTS
Burn Name: Wolf Pen
Acres: 125
District: Pleasant Hill
Franklin County near Oark, Ark.
Burn Name: Redding
Acres: 325
District: Pleasant Hill
Franklin County near Cass, Ark.
Burn Name: Greenhaw
Acres: 1944
District: Big Piney
Newton County near Lurton, Ark.
Maps: https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b196b5958480421fa7b5ee2a6ce91d31
Smoke may be visible along nearby roads and towns. Please use caution if you encounter smoke on roads.
Prescribed fire reduces hazardous fuels, improves forest health, and supports habitat for native wildlife. Applying low-intensity fire under the right conditions also helps lower the risk of severe wildfires in the future.
Learn more about prescribed fire on the forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/ouachita/fire