Queen Wilhelmina State Park

Arkansas FireWise State Park

Queen Wilhelmina State Park, 13 miles west of Mena on the Talimena Scenic Drive (Arkansas 88), is one of the Arkansas State Parks recognized as an Arkansas FireWise Community. Queen Wilhelmina State Park Lodge is located in Polk County, atop Rich Mountain, Arkansas' second highest peak.

Because of it's location, the lodge is often called the "Castle in the Clouds." The first inn, opened in 1898 by the Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Gulf Railroad, was designed as a resort retreat for passengers on the line. Since the railroad was largely financed by Dutch interests, the resort was named in honor of the Netherlands' young Queen Wilhelmina. The second inn was operated by the state of Arkansas from 1963 until a fire destroyed it in 1973. Today's lodge was opened in 1975.

The Eagleton Fire sign marks the site of a 13,000-acre fire which burned in September 1963. This was the largest fire in modern Ouachita National Forest history. The fire was started by a spark from a train on the Kansas City Southern Railroad, and ran to the top of Blackfork Mountain in the upper left corner of the photo at left. Drought conditions were severe, with temperatures in excess of 108 degrees in the area for more than 10 days in July. Everyone hopes following Firewise principles will prevent a similar occurence in the future.

A Firewise risk assessment team was formed. Members included Steve Jurina, Jeff Flanagan, Brad Holleman, Paul Tankersley, David James, Eric Smith and Randy Carter.

The lodge, Heathercliff Home and Wonder House are surrounded with ample defensible space, but there are other areas of concern in the park. The lack of defensible space in the "Queen's Backyard" leased area can be easily remedied, and the ranger's residence could be spruced up with the removal of ladder fuels. The superintendent's residence is reasonalby Firewise, but fuel reduction on the south side between the yard and trail would reduce the risk.