Applications for wildland fire suppression kits accepted through Oct. 20

Special to the Banner-News

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division is now accepting applications for wildland fire suppression kits through October 20, 2023. The application can be found at cognitoforms.com/ArkansasAgriculture1/Application ForWildlandFireSuppressionKit.

The Forestry Division received $293,154 through a United States Forest Service grant to provide 85 kits this year to rural volunteer fire departments across the state. Since 2014, more than 670 wildland fire suppression kits have been distributed.

Volunteer fire departments are the primary partner to Forestry Division crews in wildfire response and suppression, but they are often in need of specialized equipment and gear necessary for safe wildfire suppression. The necessary equipment and gear in the kits include lightweight wildfire-resistant coveralls, wildland gloves, rakes, backpack water pumps, and leaf blowers.

Fire departments may contact Kathryn Mahan-Hooten at [email protected] or (501) 679-3183 with questions. More information about the program can be found at agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry /rural-fire-protection-program/.

Rural volunteer fire departments are encouraged to apply online, but paper applications are available upon request.

Applications are scored according to specific criteria to include the population of the fire district, the number of square miles covered, the average number of wildfires a department responds to annually, and other factors.

The selected departments will be notified in November and kits will be delivered in the spring of 2024 or as soon as supplies are received.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture, forestry, and natural resources to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while conserving natural resources and ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Print Headline: Applications for wildland fire suppression kits accepted through Oct. 20

Copyright © 2023, Magnolia Banner News

All rights reserved.

This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Magnolia Banner News. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us.

Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.