Camden Fire Department

10/15/2026

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Ouachita County from 9:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. Friday.

High winds of 15 to 20 mph — with gusts up to 35 mph — along with low humidity will mean extremely dangerous conditions exist for any outdoor fire.

Any fire will spread quickly, and may become serious if not attacked early.

A burn ban remains in place for all of Ouachita County until further notice. All outdoor burning is prohibited. In addition, nearly the entire state is under a High Wildfire Danger rating according to the Arkansas Forestry Commission.

A Red Flag Warning is issued when critical fire weather conditions — a combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures — contribute to potentially extreme wildfire behavior.

09/28/2026

Congratulations to Geoff Kadwell, Captain for A-Shift, on his sixth anniversary today with the Camden Fire Department.

09/27/2026

With sadness, we announce the death of retired Driver-Operator Gary Teague, who died Friday, September 25, 2026, age 74.

Driver-Operator Teague served the citizens of Camden for 20 years as a career firefighter, and several more years as a volunteer. After his retirement, he went to work at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy from which he would also later retire.

He is the son of the late Denzel Teague — who served as Fire Chief of the Camden Fire Department — and the father of Lance Teague, who currently serves as Captain on the Camden Fire Department.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, September 28, at Proctor Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, at Grace Baptist Church, with burial to follow at Chidester Cemetery.

09/26/2026

The latest on the Bunker Fire at Highland Industrial Park.

Wildfire Update: The Bunker Fire in Calhoun County is being held at 2,849 acres and 95% contained. Department crews will monitor remaining hot spots into next week to determine when the fire can safely be called completely contained. Thank you again to all of our partners for assisting on the fire.

09/17/2026

Smoke from a wildfire southeast of the Camden city limits is currently drifting into the area. Forestry crews are aware of the fire and have already completed air drops. The closest road is Ouachita Road 67, but there are no structures in immediate danger at this time. Ouachita County remains under a burn ban — please continue to use extreme caution with any heat-generating items outdoors!

09/15/2026

The Camden Fire Department continues to support operations for the Bunker Fire near Highland Industrial Park. The video linked below is from last year, and shows up close the operation of filling Single-Engine Air Tankers being used to help control the fire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwcv7rpior0

Air tractors and Camden Fire Department going to work!

09/15/2026

Camden Fire Department personnel have been released from the Bunker Fire — located in the area of Highland Industrial Park — at this time. Numerous agencies remain on scene at this time working to contain the fire, which is approximately 2,300 acres. The Camden Fire Department will continue to support these agencies as we are requested and able.

Extremely hazardous wildfire conditions continue to exist throughout the area — DO NOT BURN, AND USE CAUTION WITH ANY POSSIBLE HEAT SOURCE OUTDOORS! Fires will ignite easily, have explosive growth, and be hard to contain. Report any outdoor burning immediately by calling 9-1-1!

09/11/2026

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were the single deadliest terrorist act in history. In total, 2,977 victims — including 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, and 55 members of the U.S. armed forces — were killed, with at least 453 additional firefighters dying from illnesses related to the World Trade Center attacks, rescue, and recovery efforts since.

But the best of humanity was also displayed that day. The official response time for the FDNY to the World Trade Center was just five seconds, having been witnessed by the crew of Battalion 1, Ladder 1, and Engine 7 who were finishing up a previous call. Firefighters — joined by law enforcement, EMS crews, other first responders, and good Samaritans — helped evacuate an estimated 18,000 people from the World Trade Center complex before its collapse.

An entire generation has grown up since the events of September 11, 2001 — many of the Camden Fire Department's younger firefighters were either born after this date, or have no recollection of it due to their age at the time. But we continue to do our best to honor the memory of those who died in the attack, and the tradition of those who helped others in their greatest time of need.

Our posts today have been done in real-time with the events of 25 years ago, accompanied by photographs taken last year by one of our own firefighters on a visit to New York City. We hope you have taken time to reflect on these events and their impact.

09/11/2026

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 — 9:28 a.m. CDT

The North Tower of the World Trade Center — struck 102 minutes earlier by terrorists flying American Airlines Flight 11 — collapses, killing approximately 1,600 people.

09/11/2026

Tuesday, September 11, 2001 — 9:03 a.m. CDT

United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757 en route from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco, crashes outside Shanksville, Pa., after being hijacked approximately 30 minutes earlier. The flight — believed to be targeting either the White House or the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. — crashes after passengers on board learned about the earlier terrorist attacks and organize a revolt against the terrorists. The last words heard from passenger Todd Beamer, speaking with a telephone operator as the revolt begins: "Let's roll."

40 victims on board the plane, not counting the terrorists, are killed instantly.