LITTLE ROCK — Five Arkansas counties have issued burn bans as temperatures climb and the chance of precipitation drops.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission said Monday that humidity is a key factor for the development of wildfires, and that a hot, dry forecast means the annual summertime wildfire season is "on schedule."
Humidity levels dropped late last week and forestry officials said Arkansas saw seven small wildfires during the weekend.
Heavy rains earlier this summer helped suppress the threat, but the National Weather Service said temperatures are predicted to be higher than normal over the next two weeks, while rainfall totals should be lower.
Arkansas has peak fire seasons in late winter and late summer. The state's last major wildfire occurred in 2012.
Chicot, Faulkner, Garland, Howard and Jefferson counties have imposed burn bans.