LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a state of emergency in Arkansas as wildfires continue burning across portions of the state, including major fires in Union and Ashley counties.

The emergency declaration comes as state and local agencies continue responding to fires that have developed amid hot and dry conditions across Arkansas.

As part of the declaration, Sanders directed $250,000 from the Governor’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to be used at the discretion of the director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management.

The declaration also authorizes supplemental assistance from state agencies to support emergency response and recovery efforts in affected areas.

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The action follows several days of firefighting efforts in Union County, where the Pine Tree Road wildfire began Thursday, Aug. 20.

Two Black Hawk helicopters from the Arkansas National Guard’s 77th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade were dispatched to Union County Friday afternoon to assist crews battling the fire.

As of Sunday morning, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture reported the Pine Tree Road fire had burned 2,328 acres and was 80% contained. Fire lines have been established around the perimeter, although crews continue monitoring for flare-ups and strengthening containment lines.

Residents of Pine Tree Road are now being allowed to return to their homes, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, although access remains restricted to residents and other traffic is prohibited.

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Wildfire concerns extend beyond Union County.

In Ashley County, the Crossett Fire Department and Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division have been battling a wildfire near Ashley County Road 183 and the Crossett Municipal Airport.

Forestry crews established a containment line around the affected area using bulldozers, but a change in wind direction Saturday caused the fire to jump the containment line on its eastern side.

Several grass fires were subsequently reported on airport property. Crossett firefighters responded and extinguished those fires.

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Officials said the Ashley County fire no longer posed an immediate danger to the public, but firefighters and forestry personnel planned to continue monitoring the area.

Motorists traveling through the affected area were also urged to slow down because smoke could reduce visibility.

The fires come as much of Arkansas faces heightened wildfire danger. Arkansas State Forester Kyle Cunningham reported last week that 34 of the state’s 75 counties were under burn bans.

State forestry officials have also been conducting detection flights across portions of Arkansas to identify new fires as dry vegetation, high temperatures and wind create conditions favorable for rapid wildfire growth.

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The state of emergency allows Arkansas agencies to deploy additional resources as needed while firefighting and recovery operations continue.

LAWSON — The Pine Tree Road wildfire has burned 2,328 acres and is now 80% contained as firefighters continue working Sunday to control one of the largest wildfires to hit the area in recent years.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture reported the updated acreage and containment figures at approximately 9:40 a.m. Sunday. The fire was first discovered at 5:02 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.

Union County Judge Mike Loftin said crews have made significant progress against the fire, but changing weather conditions remain a concern.

“Thanks to the Arkansas Forestry Dept, our local VFD’S First Responders, Union County Sheriff’s Office, my guys from the Union County Rd Dept, El Dorado Fire Dept, ProMed Ambulance Service and Union County OEM Coordinator Bruce Goff we have this monster 80% contained,” Loftin said.

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Loftin said winds forecast for Sunday afternoon and evening could contribute to flare-ups. Crews plan to remain at the scene and monitor conditions through the night.

“The biggest concern now is weather,” Loftin said. “The forecast is a little windy this afternoon and tonight which could cause some flare ups.”

Meanwhile, the Union County Sheriff’s Office announced that residents are now being allowed to return to their homes along Pine Tree Road. Access remains restricted to residents only, and all other traffic is prohibited in the area.

The latest detailed update from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture said fire lines have been established around the entire perimeter of the wildfire. Crews have been conducting surveillance, strengthening those lines and responding to flare-ups as they occur.

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As of Saturday morning, the department estimated the fire at approximately 2,000 acres and 80% contained, with some portions of the fire still presenting containment concerns. Sunday’s acreage estimate increased the size of the fire to 2,328 acres while containment remained at 80%.

Pine Tree Road had been the only area remaining under a voluntary evacuation Saturday, affecting approximately 10 homes and 25 people.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has also been conducting detection flights across Southeast Arkansas to watch for additional wildfires as dry conditions continue to create an elevated fire threat.

Numerous agencies have participated in the response, including the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division, area volunteer fire departments, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Road Department, El Dorado Fire Department, ProMed Ambulance Service and the Union County Office of Emergency Management.

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Crews will remain in the Pine Tree Road area Sunday as they strengthen containment lines, watch for flare-ups and monitor the effects of increasing winds.

MONTICELLO, Ark. — An Arkansas State Police corporal has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after authorities say he crashed his state police vehicle while on duty Friday evening near Monticello.

Arkansas State Police identified the trooper as Cpl. John M. Parker, 45, of Camden.

According to ASP, Parker was involved in a single-vehicle crash at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, on U.S. Highway 278 near Monticello. Parker was driving an Arkansas State Police vehicle and was on duty when the crash occurred.

Parker was not injured.

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Following the crash, ASP said Standardized Field Sobriety Tests indicated impairment. Parker was arrested on charges of Driving While Intoxicated/Drugs and Careless and Prohibited Driving.

He was transported to the Drew County Detention Center.

Arkansas State Police has placed Parker on administrative leave while its Office of Professional Standards conducts an internal investigation into the incident.

Parker has been with Arkansas State Police since 2014. State records show John M. Parker was among a group of applicants approved by the Arkansas State Police Commission in August 2014, and subsequent state records list his hire date as Sept. 7, 2014.

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Parker has since risen to the rank of corporal. State personnel records from 2022 identify John Parker as an ASP corporal, and public payroll records continue to list him in that position in 2025 and 2026.

Parker has also investigated serious and fatal crashes in South Arkansas during his time with the agency. An official ASP fatal crash report identifies Parker as the investigating officer in an October 2023 head-on collision on U.S. Highway 79 near Camden that killed a 27-year-old man. He was also listed as the investigating officer in a June 2024 fatal crash on U.S. 79 in rural Ouachita County.

The charges against Parker are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Arkansas State Police said no additional information about Friday’s crash or the internal investigation is being released at this time.

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EL DORADO, Ark. — The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce says 201 new jobs have been created through 22 new businesses and expansions as the organization works to increase industrial recruitment, workforce development and investment across Union County.

Chamber President and CEO Stephen Jones provided an update on the organization’s economic development and community initiatives to the El Dorado City Council earlier this month.

According to the chamber’s quarterly report, the organization has increased its number of active economic development projects by 33% and is supporting seven active state recruitment and expansion projects, most involving manufacturing. The chamber has also completed four state-issued requests for information since June.

The chamber reported assisting with three manufacturing expansion projects, including a $10 million expansion expected to create 13 jobs. It has also helped facilitate or is working on approximately 66,000 square feet of manufacturing expansion.

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Business recruitment efforts have also brought prospective investors directly to El Dorado. The chamber said it has hosted and met with prospects from Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Africa, with a majority of those meetings taking place in El Dorado.

The organization has hosted 12 site visits involving potential new businesses, including three restaurant prospects and nine industrial prospects. Six of the industrial visits were associated with the ALTA program.

Lithium remains a major economic development opportunity

The chamber is working to position Union County to benefit from Arkansas’ emerging lithium and critical minerals industry.

According to the report, chamber representatives are participating in state-level meetings led by Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald and working to position Union County as a central part of the state’s developing lithium industry. Projects affecting Union County are ongoing, according to the report.

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Industrial development efforts are being accompanied by work to make available sites more competitive. The chamber has secured state grant funding for site development and environmental due diligence and submitted seven Opportunity Zone census tracts for state consideration.

The organization is also involved in discussions about highway improvements, rail development and industrial water. It continues to work on environmental and wetlands due diligence and participate in state site development programs.

Workforce, housing and health care

Workforce development remains another major component of the chamber’s strategy.

Union County has achieved ACT Work Ready Community designation, while Manufacturing Day activities served more than 150 students. The chamber also helped secure a $100,000 workforce transportation grant designed to expand access to employment. Goals for the program include providing 1,600 workforce rides and recruiting 20 local drivers.

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Housing is also being viewed as an economic development issue. The chamber said it has continued discussions with developers, housing partners and community stakeholders and identified workforce housing as a critical component of future economic growth.

Health care recruitment and expansion are also part of the chamber’s efforts.

The organization said it is supporting physician recruitment efforts, the UAMS residency program, CARTI expansion, recruitment of a new oral surgeon and development of a new heart clinic. The report said an announcement concerning the heart clinic was expected within days of Jones’ Aug. 13 presentation.

Chamber membership grows

The chamber also reported growth in its own membership.

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Membership increased from 436 to 464 members over approximately 10 months. The organization reported 26 ribbon-cutting ceremonies either completed or scheduled and 75 welcome packets distributed, compared with 55 last year. It has also opened a visitor center at the chamber office and expanded newcomer and relocation materials.

Community events have also drawn significant crowds. The chamber reported about 4,400 attendees at its Christmas parades and 7,000 attendees at a new drone show. Its annual banquet sold out, while a recently adjusted Business Hour networking event attracted more than 50 people, nearly twice the average attendance.

Defense industry becomes a priority

Looking toward 2026-27, the chamber identified four primary priorities: developing a strategic plan for El Dorado and Union County, economic development, infrastructure improvements and housing.

The organization plans to continue advancing recruitment and expansion opportunities, supporting existing employers and increasing the competitiveness of industrial sites.

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The chamber specifically identified the defense industry as a top priority because of growth in East Camden. It also emphasized the need for industrial sites to be shovel-ready.

Future efforts will focus on transportation, utilities, the airport, rail and industrial site improvements as El Dorado and Union County compete for additional investment and jobs.

EL DORADO, Ark. — The El Dorado School District is reporting its largest volunteer training turnout to date, with 333 adults attending the first two sessions of the 2026-27 school year.

The district held its first two volunteer training sessions Aug. 14 and Aug. 18 at the South Arkansas Arts Center. All district volunteers are required to attend at least one training session before volunteering in El Dorado schools.

District officials thanked those who attended and said the strong turnout reflects significant community interest in supporting local students and schools.

“We had an incredible turnout at our first two Volunteer Training sessions of the school year, with 333 adults in attendance,” the district said in an announcement Sunday.

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The 333 participants represent the largest turnout the district has recorded for its volunteer training program.

Those who missed the August sessions will have one more opportunity to complete the required training during the current school year.

The final session is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 22, 2027, at the South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 E. Fifth St.

The training requirement applies to all volunteers planning to work with the El Dorado School District during the 2026-27 school year.

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