Altus Rural Fire Department

10/25/2026

10/23/2026

It's still dry out there, Franklin County!

An estimated 20-acre fire occurred this afternoon over in the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department district between Sunbright and Carriage Roads. Mutual aid was provided by Watalula and Barnes Rural Fire Departments and the Mulberry Fire Department from Crawford County along with the Arkansas Forestry Division plow unit from Ozark. Franklin County Emergency Management was also on scene to provide rehabilitation and communications support.

There is currently NOT a Burn Ban in effect. However, conditions are dry and fuels such as dead grasses, pine needles, and leaf litter are susceptible to quick fire starts. Winds on Friday and Saturday are expected to be breezy at around 5 to 10 mph and mostly from the east. We ask that citizens exercise caution with any planned burns and don't leave any fire unattended. If you plan to burn on your property, contact or non-emergency line to 9-1-1 dispatch at 479-667-4716 and ask to be placed on the Burn Log. Please provide the dispatcher with your name, address or location where you plan to burn, what your plan to burn, and a good call back number. By providing this, if a fire were to get out and spread, information will be readily available for an emergency response from local fire departments.

10/17/2026

10/17/2026

Are you tired of sleeping through the night? Enjoy unpredictable schedules? Like hanging out with people who have a dark or questionable sense of humor?

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We offer:

* Absolutely no paycheck.
* Free cardio when you least expect it.
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* Opportunities to get dirty, sweaty, and occasionally soaking wet.
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No experience? No problem. We’ll train you.

Come join the chaos. Your community needs you.

10/16/2026

North winds will be sustained at 15 to 20 mph through most of the day with gusts to around 35 mph, and some gust to around 40 mph across the higher terrain of northern Franklin County. Afternoon relative humidity values will fall into the mid-40% range.

At present the Arkansas Forestry Division Wildfire Danger Rating for Franklin County is at HIGH. Fires can still start easily and become difficult to control. Despite the rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday, not all locations received equal amounts. And the windy conditions will potentially deplete fuel (vegetation, leaf litter, etc.) moisture.

For today, we are asking that you hold off on any planned burns. Winds will make it very difficult to contain a fire today if it were to get out of control. Conditions will improve for Saturday and Sunday with light easterly winds around 5 mph.

10/07/2026

The entire state remains at high risk for wildfire, and burn bans are in place for 50 counties. Ongoing very dry conditions are expected through the week, and elevated wildfire potential will likely persist for several more weeks. We urge Arkansans to stay aware of these conditions and use caution. Even in counties not currently under a burn ban, the risk of fires escaping and becoming severe remains high.

View current conditions: https://mip.agri.arkansas.gov/agtools/Forestry/Fire_Info

10/02/2026

The county wide Burn Ban for Franklin County has been lifted.

IF you plan to burn anything such as lawn debris, brush, or refuse like cardboard boxes, please DO NOT leave the fire unattended. Keep a close watch on it. Even after the fire appears to be out, check the area where you conducted the burn. Areas where brush has been burnt can rekindle with increased winds.

IF you plan to burn, call our non-emergency line to Franklin County 911 Dispatch at 479-667-4176 and ask to be placed on the Burn Log. Provide the dispatcher with your address, and what you plan to burn. This will provide critical information to your local fire department should something go wrong. For citizens wishing to burn within city limits, check with your city hall regarding any ordinances or for what is allowed to be burnt.

09/30/2026

Residents and visitors to Franklin County that travel along Hwy. 23 north of Ozark are urged to be prepared for an uptick in vehicles along the route as today is the opening day for the WAKAAN Music Festival up at Mulberry Mountain Lodge.

There is one area of road work where traffic is relegated to one lane between Shores Lake Road intersection and Cass Job Corps. Traffic control is by portable signal/STOP lights at north and south ends. Please allow yourself extra travel time.

09/27/2026

On 9/26/26 at approximately 8:20 PM, ARFD was dispatched to a vehicle versus train on Highway 186 South to the railroad crossing by the Alix feed mill.

The driver of the vehicle had gotten out prior to impact, so no injuries were reported.

The train was carrying crude oil, but no leaks or releases were found or noted.

This was the best case scenario for an incident like this.

Agencies also responding were Franklin County Emergency Management (AR), Franklin County Emergency Medical Services, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Union Pacific RR.

The scene was cleared around 10:13 PM.

ARFD responded with 2 engines, 1 tanker, and 9 personnel.

09/21/2026

A quick response today stopped what was fast turning into a wildfire. AFD responded with 3 engines and 8 personnel.

Two structures were spared and the burned area was contained to less than 2 acres.

A reminder that Franklin County remains under a BURN BAN.