US Forest Service - Ouachita and Ozark-St Francis National Forests

09/15/2026

Mirror Lake to the Blanchard Springs Trail access area within Blanchard Springs Recreation Area will be closed Thursday and Friday, September 17-18, 2026 for maintenance.

09/15/2026

Happy Birthday, Woodsy Owl!

Thanks for inspiring generations to “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute” and care for our national forests and public lands. Here’s to another year of spreading stewardship, kindness, and conservation across the country.

Give a hoot, lend a hand and care for the land today!

09/14/2026

This , take steps to protect your home and community from wildfire.

One of the most effective ways to reduce wildfire risk is to create defensible space between your home and surrounding vegetation. Clearing leaves and debris, trimming branches, and spacing out plants can slow a wildfire’s spread and give firefighters room to work safely.

Learn more at https://www.ready.gov/wildfires.

09/11/2026

UPDATED 9/15/26: Work will now take place on Thursday and Friday, September 17-18, 2026 due to equipment malfunctions.

Shores Lake Road (FSR 1501) on the Boston Mountain District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests will be partially closed for road construction activities on September 15-16, 2026. The closure is located approximately 4 miles southwest of the intersection with Highway 23.

09/11/2026

Today marks 25 years since the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. We pause to honor the lives tragically lost, the families forever changed, and the heroes who answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We will never forget 🇺🇸

09/10/2026

09/09/2026

UPDATED 9/15/26: Pine Fire grew to 42 acres, but was 100% contained on 9/10/26. Firefighters continue to monitor the area.

WILDFIRE ALERT
Ouachita National Forest
Jessieville-Winona-Fourche District

Firefighters are responding to the Pine Fire in Garland County, Ark. near Mountain Pine. The fire is estimated to be 15-20 acres. Crews are on scene and actively engaged in securing lines around the wildfire. Due to the remote location of the fire, a helicopter is responding as well. The fire is currently 45% contained.

Light winds from the south may push smoke north towards Lake Ouachita State Park, the town of Jessieville, and Highway 298. Smoke may also be visible from Hot Springs.

We will share updates on social media as more information becomes available.

09/08/2026

🚫🚻Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp🚫🚻

The Hoyt Pavilion restroom in Loop D is currently closed due to a plumbing issue. This post will be updated once the issue is resolved.

09/08/2026

🚫🔥County burn bans are currently in place for McCurtain County and LeFlore County in Oklahoma, as well as 73 counties in Arkansas, including all counties with national forest land.

⚠️Please use caution with bushhogging or any heavy equipment that could spark a fire. If you must use equipment, have a plan and tools ready to respond quickly.

🚒In Oklahoma, fire crews and equipment have increased across the area, and teams are being pre‑positioned in high‑risk zones. If you live in or are traveling through the area, please be aware of more firefighting traffic near active fires, especially during morning and evening hours. Slow down on highways and be prepared for fire engines and equipment entering or exiting the road.

📲For updates on the West Glover, Glover, and River Wildfires in Oklahoma, visit app.watchduty.org or contact the Oklahoma Ranger District office at 580‑494‑6402.

09/04/2026

All 75 Arkansas counties are now under high wildfire risk, and more than 65 counties have active burn bans. Persistent drought and extremely dry vegetation mean fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and become difficult to control. As we head into the holiday weekend, we’re asking all Arkansans to stay alert and take steps to reduce wildfire ignition.

Please take these precautions:

- Avoid all outdoor burning. This includes campfires, trash burning, grilling with open flames, and any prescribed or controlled burns.
- Never leave any outdoor flame unattended.
- Use caution when driving or operating equipment near dry vegetation. Avoid driving over tall or dry grass, ensure trailer chains aren’t dragging, and do not drive on flat tires.
- Properly extinguish and dispose of cigarettes—never discard them outdoors.
- Report smoke or fire immediately by calling 1‑800‑468‑8834.

Stay informed by monitoring the Department’s county‑by‑county fire map, reviewing active incidents on the wildfire dashboard, and following our updates on social media.