Cossatot River State Park Natural Area

Arkansas FireWise State Park

On Jan. 24, 2008, David Samuel visited the Cossatot River State Park Natural Area in Howard County, located between Wickes and Umpire. The 5, 483-acre park is located in the Cossatot River drainage, with rugged wooded slopes of shortleaf pine, upland hardwoods and lots of northern red cedar. Access is limited, and the potential for large wildland fires in this area of the Ouachita Mountains is very high, which presents a risk to all facilities.

Upon arriving, David Samuel joined ASP Ranger Davy Ashcraft and Park Maintenance Supervisor Kathy Frachiseur to conduct risk assessments on the homes and other park facilities. Pictured at right are Susan Andrew, document examiner; Jeannie White, PASC; Davy Ashcraft, Arkansas State Park Ranger; Roger Wilcher, Arkansas State Park Tech II; Kathy Frachiseur, maintenance supervisor, and Jasper Miles, Arkansas State Park Tech I.

The park's visitor center, ranger's residence and maintenance area were surrounded with an excellent defensible space. However, park staff were encouraged to increase the defensible space around the assistant superintendent's residence and both interpreter residences. David Samuel also recommended the park consider a control burn program to reduce the fuel loading in the area. "Most of the area has not burned for years, and still has residual fuels from the December 2000 ice storm."

After completing the risk assessments, the group returned to the Visitor Center to discuss the recommendations and preparation of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Park staff also plan to share the Firewise message with the communities in the immediate surrounding area.