On Feb. 26, 2008, Arkansas FireWise Coordinator David Samuel conducted a park risk assessment of the Ozark Folk Center with Maintenance Supervisor Danny Shepherd and Assistant General Manager Brandon Owen. (Pictured above from left: Grady Spann, general manager; Iona Barham, lodge manager; Jessica Sterlin, assistant restaurant manager; Tina Marie Wilcox, head gardener; Bobby Barham, maintenance crew; Danny Shepherd, maintenance supervisor; Malcom Summerall, maintenance crew; Jimmie Edwards, group sales manager, and Brandon Owen, assistant general manager.)

The park covers 640 acres with about 80 acres of developed area. The Skillet Restaurant is at moderate risk from a wildland fire coming up the west slope covered with patches of red cedar. In addition, several of the cabins were at moderate risk due to a lack of adequate defensible space on the back side. The remainder of the park is at low risk, although many of the structures are made of flammable materials.

"Thanks to Jimmie Edwards, Group Sales Manager, for setting up the meetings — the risk assessment of the park and a community meeting in the evening in the conference center for the public and Stone County firefighters," said David Samuel. "I enjoyed visiting with General Manager Grady Spann and other members of the park staff. They are very supportive of Arkansas FireWise."