Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Firefighters Busy In First 45 Days of 1996

In the first 45 days of 1996, there have been 21 fires reported in Gurdon.

The worst fire, so far, occurred Tuesday, Feb. 13, when an area resident, burning rubbish, lost control of the fire. It threatened several homes and businesses, burning from Airport Road to Sticky Road and out to Highway 67 and West Miller Street.

Firefighters from the Gurdon Fire Department, Curtis Volunteer Fire Department, International Paper and the Arkansas Forestry Commission, along with a number of individuals pitched in to fight the blaze, Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith said.

The fire jumped a creek and Highway 182 at its height.

The remainder of Clark County has also been hard hit by fires so far this year.

Clark County Judge Grady Runyan said a fire Monday, Feb. 12 in the Richwood area burned more than 200 acres before being put out.

Along with area volunteer fire departments, International Paper sent in two fire plows and the forest service had three more in the foray.

Runyan sent four county employees and two bulldozers to assist their efforts.

One of the fire plows got surrounded by the flames and caught fire itself. Runyan said the county's equipment was utilized to extinguish the flames around the plow.

"It had caught on fire," Runyan said of the plow. "It's a wonder it didn't explode. It's gas powered."

The county equipment operates with diesel engines and fuel, which is somewhat less flammable than gasoline.

While crews fought the Richwood fire, another fire was being battled near the old Ralph Williams Cement Plant in the vicinity of the Ouachita River.

A third fire was raging in the eastern part of the county as well.

Tuesday, Feb. 13 was a continuation of Monday for firefighters, Runyan said.

Two blazes were reported in the Manchester region, while a third was threatening Gurdon.

Runyan said the western part of the county has had no fires yet.

Smith and Runyan agree the weather conditions are perfect for fires getting out of control.

The humidity has been extremely low for this time of year. The winds are extremely high, at times exceeding 30 miles per hour, and there has been almost no rain during the year.

Clark County and the City of Gurdon, for these reasons, have issued burn bans.

Smith said part of Gurdon's problems come from people in the city limits burning trash.

"There's no reason for this," he said, "because the city has trash pick up.

"Most of our recent fires are the result of people burning trash."

However, there was a fire at the new Gurdon High School caused by a heater fan, and another blaze near the city's newly constructed child daycare center near the old middle school.

Smith said the cause of this blaze is unknown, but there is speculation the house which burned was a hangout for drug users.

He said employees with M&M Enterprises were burning trash and their fire got out of control, which burned part of the business.

Trash burning resulted in two homes being damaged and/or destroyed as well. The structures were on Stovall Street.

One resident was burning garbage, lost control of the fire and wound up losing their house. The blaze continued and severely damaged another house.

While grease caught fire in an apartment at the Crestwood Apartments, quick action by the residents had the flames extinguished before the fire could get started good and cause much damage.

Gurdon Police Officer Frank Plasek said residents in the complex all have fire extinguishers and know how to use them. He said the residents had the fire out before the GFD arrived.

GFD Chief Jake McBride said negligence on the part of those burning trash has resulted in the majority of fires getting out of control.

"People shouldn't be burning trash or garbage at all in Gurdon," he said, "they have trash pick up."

McBride said it is unknown how many acres were burned in Tuesday's fire, but added the firefighters have been getting plenty of experience lately.

"It's been unreal," he said of the number of fires in Gurdon this year. "We need rain, but if it's not a soaking rain it won't help. We'll keep a ban on burning until we can overcome these conditions.

"If we don't get some (rain) soon, it will get a lot worse.

"Don't burn," McBride continued, "unless you want to do away with your home or take the chance on buying someone else a new home."

He said whoever does the burning is responsible for any damage the fire causes if it gets out of control.

"People need to keep their trash in bags and let the city pick it up," McBride said. "Pile up the limbs as well and let the (garbage) truck pick them up."

Runyan said IP, Georgia Pacific and Potlatch all do controlled burns this time of year, but they all contact his office before burning.

He said these control burns may be the reason there have been no fires in the western sector of the county.

"They have the men, the equipment and the knowledge to do it and make sure it's done properly," he said. "They also have the permission of the county government -- but it's only for the paper companies."

Smith said the City of Gurdon will be examining an ordinance at its March meeting to ban burning on paper, rubbish and all general household garbage -- period.

However, he said the ordinance will not make it illegal to burn leaves, when weather conditions permit, as there is no other means for people to dispose of them.

The ordinance, according to Smith, will require all burning to be attended at all times and a water hose nearby.

He said the ordinance will include a penalty if the fire gets out of control and burns any neighboring property. This penalty will be on top of any existing fines and/or penalties.

In addition, he said the leaves are not to be burned in ditches or in the street.