Branch City Rural Fire & Rescue

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Branch City Rural Fire & Rescue We are a Volunteer Fire Rescue Department serving approx 60 sq. miles and 1000 citizens. We have 2 pumpers,1 pumper/tanker,1 tanker, and 2 brush rigs. ISO class 6

We cover a K-12 school with approx 500 students and faculty, and 25 miles of state hwy.

10/12/2026

WEEKLY WEATHER & FIRE OUTLOOK
Branch / Franklin County • October 12–18

🌡️ A hot start, midweek rain chances, and a cooler weekend are in the forecast!

☀️ Monday: Sunny, high around 95°F. Overnight low near 70°F.
🌤️ Tuesday: Hot and humid, high around 94°F. Low near 74°F.
⛈️ Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms possible. High around 86°F.
⛈️ Thursday: Scattered thunderstorms possible, high around 87°F.
🌤️ Friday: Less humid, high around 74°F. Overnight low near 45°F.
☀️ Saturday: Sunny, high around 68°F. Low near 44°F.
🌤️ Sunday: Mostly sunny, high around 75°F.

🔥 FIRE DANGER & PRECAUTIONS

Use caution around dry grass, brush, and fallen leaves. These fuels can carry fire, and wind can push an escaped fire toward homes, fences, and outbuildings. Midweek rain may help where it falls, but rain chances alone are no assurance of safe burning conditions.

• Avoid outdoor burning during windy conditions.
• Keep vehicles and hot exhaust off dry grass.
• Check equipment for debris buildup and keep an extinguisher nearby.
• Clear leaves and dead vegetation away from your home.

📞 If you spot an uncontrolled fire, call 911 immediately.

Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue

Just a reminder that even though the burn ban is lifted wildfire danger remains HIGH.
10/07/2026

Just a reminder that even though the burn ban is lifted wildfire danger remains HIGH.

10/07/2026

🌤️ MIDWEEK WEATHER & FIRE SAFETY UPDATE
Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue
Wednesday, October 7

Hot afternoons will stick around through the rest of the week and into the weekend.

🌡️ Wednesday: Partly sunny — high near 90°, low 54°.
☀️ Thursday: Sunny — high near 94°, low 59°.
☀️ Friday: Sunny — high near 93°, low 57°.
🌤️ Saturday: Mostly sunny — high near 89°.
🌤️ Sunday: Partly sunny — high near 88°.

🔥 FIRE SAFETY REMINDER
Recent rainfall doesn’t mean every patch of grass, brush or leaf litter will stay damp. Watch conditions where you are, and avoid outdoor burning when vegetation is dry or winds are gusty.

• Check current county burn restrictions before burning.
• Keep water and tools nearby, and never leave a fire unattended.
• Make sure ashes and coals are completely cold before leaving.
• Keep vehicles and hot equipment off dry grass.
• Secure trailer chains so they don’t drag and throw sparks.

With afternoon temperatures back in the 90s, stay hydrated and take breaks during outdoor work.

If you spot an uncontrolled fire, call 911 promptly. Early reporting helps protect nearby homes, property and our community.

10/05/2026

WEEKLY WEATHER & FIRE SAFETY OUTLOOK
Branch / Franklin County • October 5–11

Expect cool mornings and warm afternoons this week, with plenty of sunshine. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the upper 80s by Thursday and Friday.

Forecast highs / overnight lows:
• Monday: 86° / 52° — Sunny
• Tuesday: 86° / 51° — Sunny
• Wednesday: 86° / 54° — Partly sunny
• Thursday: 89° / 55° — Sunny
• Friday: 89° / 59° — Partly sunny
• Saturday: 84° / 58° — Sun and clouds
• Sunday: 83° / 61° — Mostly sunny

Little rain is expected through the workweek. NWS Tulsa indicates rain chances could improve later this weekend into next week, but timing and amounts remain uncertain.

BURN BAN UPDATE
Franklin County’s burn ban was lifted October 2. Please continue to use caution—lifting a burn ban does not mean every day is safe to burn.

Recent rainfall helps, but another stretch of warm, dry weather can dry grass, leaves and surface vegetation again.

If you plan to burn:
• Check current restrictions and wind conditions first.
• Avoid burning on windy days.
• Keep fires small and well away from buildings, vehicles and wooded areas.
• Have water and tools ready before lighting.
• Stay with the fire until it is completely extinguished.
• Soak and stir the ashes, checking for remaining heat.

If a fire escapes your control or threatens property, call 911 immediately.

Help protect your neighbors and the volunteers who answer the call.

— Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue

🟢🔥 FRANKLIN COUNTY BURN BAN LIFTED 🔥🟢Per the County Judge, the burn ban for Franklin County, Arkansas, has been lifted.B...
10/02/2026

🟢🔥 FRANKLIN COUNTY BURN BAN LIFTED 🔥🟢

Per the County Judge, the burn ban for Franklin County, Arkansas, has been lifted.

Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue reminds everyone that a lifted burn ban does not mean burning is risk-free. Please continue to use caution—even after recent rainfall.

Before lighting a fire:

Check the forecast. Avoid burning during windy conditions or when fire weather warnings are in effect.

Clear away surrounding dry grass, leaves and other flammable material. Keep fires well away from structures, vehicles and wooded areas.

Have a working water hose and tools ready before you begin.

Keep burns small and manageable. Never leave a fire unattended.

Keep smoke from creating a hazard on nearby roads or affecting neighbors.

Do not burn tires, plastics, chemicals or household trash. Check any applicable city restrictions before burning.

When finished, soak the ashes, stir them and soak again. Make sure all embers are cold before leaving.

If a fire escapes your control, call 911 immediately. Do not delay calling while trying to handle a spreading fire yourself.

Please burn responsibly and help protect our neighbors, property and firefighters.

Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue

RECENT RAIN DOES NOT MEAN THE FIRE DANGER IS OVERThe rain we received was welcome, but it takes more than one rain event...
10/02/2026

RECENT RAIN DOES NOT MEAN THE FIRE DANGER IS OVER

The rain we received was welcome, but it takes more than one rain event to recover from prolonged dry conditions.

For perspective, National Weather Service records show nearby Fort Smith was 8.62 inches behind normal rainfall for the year as of September 30. September brought just 0.46 inches, compared with a normal 4.04 inches. These are regional reference numbers; rainfall totals here in Branch can differ.

The Arkansas Forestry map shows Franklin County under a burn ban and HIGH wildfire danger. Rain does not automatically lift a burn ban—an official announcement from the County Judge is required.

Grass and leaves can become wet while heavier vegetation and deeper soil remain dry. Once sunshine, wind and lower humidity return, fine fuels can dry quickly.

Please hold off on burning brush, leaves, trash or debris.
Never toss ci******es from a vehicle.
Watch for sparks and hot equipment around dry grass.
If you see an uncontrolled fire, call 911 immediately.

We appreciate the rain, but please continue taking precautions and watch for official burn ban updates.

— Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue

10/01/2026

MIDWEEK WEATHER & FIRE UPDATE
Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue
Wednesday, September 30, 2026

RAIN CHANCES RETURN
Periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected Thursday and Thursday night, continuing into Friday before tapering off. A few showers could linger into Saturday. Locally heavy rainfall is possible, along with a limited severe storm risk Thursday afternoon and evening. Damaging winds are the main severe weather concern.

FIRE WEATHER & DROUGHT
Ongoing drought, unusually warm temperatures, and gusty south winds contributed to fire concerns today. Rain would be welcome, but stay cautious around dry grass and brush until meaningful rainfall reaches our area.

BURN BAN REMINDER
The latest available reports continue to list Franklin County under a burn ban. Please avoid outdoor burning and watch for official county updates. Rain in the forecast does not mean the ban has been lifted.

KEEP SAFETY FIRST
• Avoid activities that can throw sparks into dry vegetation.
• Keep trailer chains from dragging and vehicles off dry grass.
• If you see an uncontrolled fire, call 911 immediately and give the clearest location possible.

Help protect our neighbors, property, and the firefighters serving our communities.

GRASS FIRE — MUTUAL AID RESPONSE At 3:42 p.m. this afternoon, September 30, Branch Rural Fire Department was called to a...
10/01/2026

GRASS FIRE — MUTUAL AID RESPONSE

At 3:42 p.m. this afternoon, September 30, Branch Rural Fire Department was called to assist Ratcliff Fire Department with a grass fire in the area of the 6000 block of Highway 22 in Caulksville.

Charleston Fire Department, Booneville Rural Fire Department and Arkansas Forestry were also called to assist. Approximately 8 acres burned, and our personnel remained on scene for 2½ hours. Cause of fire is unknown.

WEATHER & FIRE CONDITIONS
Weather outlook highlighted above-normal temperatures and gusty southerly winds. These conditions allowed the grass fire to spread quickly and make suppression more challenging.

Thank you to all the departments and Arkansas Forestry for their assistance and teamwork. Mutual aid is essential to protecting our communities.

Please use caution with anything that could produce a spark, keep access clear for emergency vehicles, and call 911 immediately if you spot a fire.

09/28/2026

🌤️ WEEKLY WEATHER, DROUGHT & FIRE OUTLOOK
Branch and Franklin County
September 28–October 4

We’ll begin the week hot and mostly dry before rain and cooler temperatures arrive later in the week.

Monday: Partly cloudy and less humid. High near 90°.
Tuesday: Hot with a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm. High near 90°.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and very warm. High near 94°.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms becoming likely. High near 84°.
Friday: Cooler with showers and thunderstorms. High near 76°.
Saturday: Cloudy with additional showers and thunderstorms possible. High near 78°.
Sunday: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers. High near 79°.

BURN BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT

Franklin County remains under a burn ban until further notice. Outdoor burning is prohibited.

Rainfall does not automatically lift the burn ban. It remains in effect until officially lifted by the Franklin County Judge. Continue following all restrictions, even if your area receives rain.

DROUGHT AND DRY CONDITIONS

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor does not place Franklin County in an official drought category, but longer-term rainfall deficits remain. January through August ranked as the county’s 16th-driest such period in 132 years, with precipitation approximately 7.23 inches below normal.

Several days of rain may improve surface moisture, but one weather system will not immediately correct the longer-term deficit or fully restore moisture to deeper vegetation and heavy fuels.

FIRE CONDITIONS

Hot temperatures early in the week can still allow dry grass and vegetation to ignite. Avoid anything capable of producing sparks, including dragging trailer chains, parking vehicles over dry grass and improperly discarding ci******es.

STORM SAFETY

Thunderstorms later this week may produce lightning, gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall.

Forecast conditions can change, so continue monitoring trusted weather sources throughout the week.

🚨 Report all fires and emergencies by calling 911.

Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue

09/24/2026

🌤️ MIDWEEK & WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE 🌤️

Warm and mostly dry conditions will continue through Friday, with afternoon highs climbing into the upper 80s to around 90°. Rain chances will begin increasing as we move into the weekend.

🌦️ Weekend Outlook:

• Saturday will be warm with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible, especially later in the day.
• Saturday night into Sunday currently appears to have the best chance for rainfall.
• Sunday will remain warm, with additional scattered showers and storms possible.
• Severe weather is not currently expected, but any thunderstorm can produce lightning, gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall.

🔥 Fire Safety Reminder:

Even with rain in the forecast, grass, leaves and wooded areas remain dry enough for fires to spread. Please avoid unnecessary outdoor burning, never leave a fire unattended and keep water nearby. Before burning, check the current Franklin County burn-ban status and weather conditions.

Report unattended fires or heavy smoke immediately.

For emergencies, call 911.

Stay safe and enjoy your weekend!

— Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue

Address

22 N. Jones Street
Branch, AR
72928

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