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.

10/23/2026

WEEKEND WEATHER & FIRE SAFETY OUTLOOK
Branch & Franklin County | October 23–25

Expect warm afternoons, cool nights, and mostly dry weather this weekend.

☀️ Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84°F. Overnight low around 51°F.
🌤️ Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85°F. Overnight low around 53°F.
🌤️ Sunday: A mix of clouds and sunshine, with a high near 82°F. Overnight low around 52°F.

No meaningful rainfall is expected through the weekend. NWS Tulsa currently forecasts no hazardous weather for our area this weekend.

FIRE SAFETY
Warm, dry weather means residents should remain careful around dry grass, leaves, and brush. A quiet weather forecast does not mean an escaped fire cannot spread.

• Postpone brush piles and debris burning during dry conditions.
• Check current county burn restrictions before burning.
• Never leave an outdoor fire unattended.
• Keep water and tools nearby, and extinguish all embers.
• Keep vehicles and hot exhaust off dry grass.
• Secure trailer chains and dispose of ci******es properly.

📞 If a fire escapes or threatens property, call 911 immediately. Early reporting helps us get there before it grows.

Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue

BRUSH FIRE — SOUTH HOPKINS STREET At approximately 12:56 p.m. today, Branch Rural Fire was paged and responded to a brus...
10/21/2026

BRUSH FIRE — SOUTH HOPKINS STREET

At approximately 12:56 p.m. today, Branch Rural Fire was paged and responded to a brush fire on South Hopkins Street. Three personnel responded with one tanker and one brush truck.

The fire spread from a brush pile the property owner was burning and burned approximately five acres. Crews remained on scene for approximately two hours.

NO BURN BAN DOES NOT MEAN SAFE TO BURN.

Although we are not currently under a burn ban, fire danger remains HIGH. Today’s regional weather pattern includes dry air, low humidity and light winds. Dry grass, leaves and brush can ignite easily, and even light winds can carry embers beyond a burn pile.

We strongly encourage residents to postpone outdoor burning until conditions improve. Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure all ashes and embers are completely extinguished.

📞 If a fire escapes your control, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait until it threatens a home or neighboring property.

10/20/2026

WEEKLY WEATHER & FIRE DANGER OUTLOOK
Branch & Franklin County | October 20–26

Warm afternoons and cool nights are ahead, with mostly sunny to partly sunny skies throughout the week.

🌡️ Forecast highs / lows:
• Tuesday: 79° / 47°
• Wednesday: 82° / 49°
• Thursday: 84° / 53°
• Friday: 82° / 54°
• Saturday: 84° / 54°
• Sunday: 80° / 52°
• Monday: 77° / 55°

FIRE DANGER
Franklin County was listed at HIGH wildfire danger in the latest county breakdown I could verify, dated October 15–16. Dry vegetation remains a concern, and the warm forecast offers little indication of relief. Wind and low afternoon humidity can make any outdoor fire harder to control.

Please postpone burning brush, leaves and trash.

Keep vehicles and hot exhaust off dry grass.

Secure trailer chains so they cannot drag and spark.

Use caution when welding, grinding or operating equipment near vegetation.

Keep driveways and access routes clear for emergency vehicles.

A fire danger rating and a burn ban are separate. Check current county restrictions before any outdoor burning.

📞 Report uncontrolled fires immediately by calling 911.

Branch City/Rural Fire & Rescue

10/17/2026

🌤️ WEEKEND WEATHER — BRANCH & FRANKLIN COUNTY October 17–18

☀️ Saturday: Plenty of sunshine with a high near 68°F. Chilly tonight with a low around 41°F.

🌤️ Sunday: Sunny to partly cloudy and pleasant, with a high near 72°F. Sunday night’s low around 43°F.

Rain & severe weather: Dry conditions are expected through the weekend. NWS Tulsa’s Saturday afternoon outlook lists no hazardous weather expected through Sunday.

Fire precautions: Continue using care around dry grass and fallen leaves. Keep grills and fire pits clear of vegetation, never leave a fire unattended, and completely extinguish coals before leaving. Check current county burn restrictions before any outdoor burning.

Report uncontrolled fires immediately by calling 911.

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

Address

22 N. Jones Street
Branch, AR
72928

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