Two towns in Northwest Arkansas and one in the Arkansas River Valley became Arkansas' 39th, 40th and 41st Firewise Communities/USA. They were recognized during a luncheon presentation March 25, 2006, at Eureka Springs Inn of the Ozarks.

Presenting the awards to community leaders from Beaver (photo at left), Cecil (photo below) and Kingston (photo at bottom left) were Arkansas Forestry Commission Fire Chief Don McBride and Arkansas FireWise Coordinator David Samuel. Also being recognized at the presentation were Bull Shoals-White River State Park which implemented its own wildfire safety program.

"The wildland/urban interface is the area where communities of people live next to undeveloped wildland," said Samuel, a certified forester. "Many of the forested areas in Arkansas are becoming very attractive places to live and to build a home. We're teaching homeowners how to protect themselves from wildfire."

To be recognized, Firewise Communities/USA in Arkansas must meet state and federal requirements. A Firewise board of local citizens is formed, assesses the wildland fire risk of the community, and develops a Firewise plan. Next, the board uses volunteered time and federal grant money administered by the Arkansas Forestry Commission to eliminate exterior fire hazards in the community, such as tree limbs hanging over buildings, vegetation near homes and poor access for emergency vehicles.

Local fire departments often provide Firewise leadership and support, said McBride. "Rural fire departments have been an important part of the program because they bring information to their individual communities and work with the residents to develop a prevention plan that works for their specific area of the state."