The Arkansas National Parks Fire Management Group can assemble a Type 2 Hand Crew, like this one from 2013, consisting of members from Arkansas' national parks. The crew can then be called to wildfires anywhere in the country for up to 21 days at a time.
NPS Photo / Michael Simpson
Many NPS Park Rangers and Guides are certified as wildland firefighters. As part of the greater effort of protecting all of our national parks, these rangers are called upon to help conduct prescribed fires in other Arkansas parks, like Hot Springs National Park, Buffalo National River, or Pea Ridge National Military Park. They may also be called to fires in other parts of the country when they are needed.
There are no wildland fire management plans for President Clinton’s Home. Hope’s local fire department would be called in the event of a structural fire.
Locations:Arkansas Post National Memorial, Buffalo National River, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Hot Springs National Park, Pea Ridge National Military Park
Offices:Fire and Aviation Management, Wildland Fire Program
In 2024, the Arkansas Park Fire Management Zone achieved significant milestones through initiatives funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). With BIL funding, the Arkansas Park Zone treated over 1,400 acres of high-risk land.
Locations:Buffalo National River, Effigy Mounds National Monument, Pea Ridge National Military Park, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Voyageurs National Park, Wind Cave National Park
Offices:Archeology Program, Midwest Archeological Center
The Midwest Archeological Center (MWAC) worked with Midwest Region Fire Program to design and carry out experiments to collect information about the effects of fire on various classes of archeological materials. The goals of this project were to assess the fire/archeology interface to provide managers of Midwestern parks with information that will aid in decision-making concerning the stewardship of archeological and natural resources.
Locations:Buffalo National River, Effigy Mounds National Monument, George Washington Carver National Monument, Homestead National Historical Park, Hot Springs National Park, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Pea Ridge National Military Park, Wilson's Creek National Battlefieldmore »
Offices:Wildland Fire Program
Oak woodlands depend on disturbances like fire to survive. Frequent fire created and maintained the open structure and make-up of the woodlands. Today, there are fewer oak woodlands across the central United States. Oak woodlands are converting into forests due to a lack of fire.
Locations:Arkansas Post National Memorial, Buffalo National River, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Pea Ridge National Military Park, President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Sitemore »
Wildland fire impacts each of the national parks in Arkansas in one way or another. The National Park Service manages wildland fire to protect the public; park communities and infrastructure; conserve natural and cultural resources; and maintain and restore natural ecosystem processes.
A grasslands restoration project at Pea Ridge National Military Park helps rebuild bobwhite quail habitat, while also encouraging a larger grasslands restoration movement across other national parks.
