On February 19, 2026, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders authorized the deployment of Arkansas Department of Agriculture forestry personnel to support wildfire suppression in Oklahoma and urban tree recovery in Tennessee. The move highlights Arkansas’s commitment to regional cooperation and public safety. Source
The deployments are intended to address increased wildfire risk in the South Central United States and aid communities recovering from recent ice storms. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture focuses on the agricultural sector as the state’s leading industry, according to the official website.
“No one stands alone when it comes to responding to disasters (…) Arkansas is proud to join forces with states across the region in Oklahoma and Tennessee to support wildfire suppression and storm recovery. These deployments demonstrate the power of collaboration and the dedication of our personnel to help their neighbors whenever and wherever they are needed,” according to Wes Ward, Cabinet Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
Six wildland firefighters will be sent to eastern Oklahoma for approximately two weeks, focusing on initial attack and rapid suppression of new wildfires. Four bulldozers and two pick-up trucks will also be provided for operations. Three urban forestry personnel will travel to Tennessee as part of an Urban Forest Strike Team, offering technical expertise for tree damage assessments and hazard mitigation planning after recent storms.
“Our teams bring specialized skills and equipment to support communities in need (…) Whether it’s assisting with wildfire suppression in Oklahoma or helping Tennessee communities recover after storms, these deployments show how sharing knowledge and resources across state lines strengthens the entire region,” said Arkansas State Forester Kyle Cunningham.
The Department continues monitoring conditions within Arkansas, where elevated fire risk persists across western and northwestern counties. Local response capabilities remain fully staffed while supporting neighboring states. Residents are urged by officials to avoid outdoor burning, use equipment carefully, report fires immediately, and stay informed about local conditions.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture operates throughout the state and extends its reach nationally and globally for its products (official website). It offers programs encompassing animal care, crop management, forest protection, natural resource oversight, advocates conservation through prescribed fires for land management, works to bolster farming while ensuring food safety for consumers (official website).
