A "fast-moving" wildfire that is burning near Wilmar in Drew County has damaged at least 20 acres so far on Thursday afternoon, an Arkansas State Forestry Commission official said.
At least three local fire departments are working to put out the fire, State Forester Joe Fox said. Nine bulldozers and two planes provided by the State Forestry Commission are also working to contain the blaze, he said.
Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said traffic on U.S. 278 is being re-routed to U.S. 133.
The wildfire started at about 3 p.m. a few miles south of Wilmar, Fox said. It wasn't immediately clear what started the fire.
No injuries have been reported, but one individual "came close" to being trapped in the fire, Fox said. The person was able to escape the fire by calling 911 and working with authorities to find a route out, he added.
The wildfire was discovered by a plane that was flying over the area that detected smoke.