Two states have sent National Guard helicopters to help Arkansas battle the Bunker Fire burning in Calhoun County, a blaze that erupted near an industrial park housing major defense contractors and forced nearby residents to evacuate earlier this week. Oklahoma and Mississippi crews began flying missions this week, dropping water from Chinook helicopters equipped with massive aerial firefighting buckets as containment efforts continued.
The Oklahoma National Guard deployed a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and a six-person crew to Arkansas to help fight the fire, according to News On 6. Gov. Kevin Stitt authorized the assistance at the request of the Arkansas Forestry Division and the Arkansas National Guard, and the mission began Friday, September 18. The Oklahoma Chinook carries a 2,000-gallon Bambi bucket, and Oklahoma's crew is expected to remain on a four-day mission. Mississippi is also contributing a Chinook helicopter with its own 2,000-gallon bucket, along with a five-person crew assigned to a six-day mission, per the same report.
According to Arkansas Advocate, the Mississippi crew began operations Friday morning, while Oklahoma's six-person crew was expected to start that afternoon. Both helicopters are expected to keep working through Monday before returning home Tuesday. The outlet reports the fire broke out Monday near the Highland Industrial Park, which is home to several defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
Evacuations Lifted, Containment Figures Diverge
No injuries or damages have been reported from the fire, which prompted evacuations of nearby residents and workers before they were allowed to return home Tuesday, the Arkansas Advocate's report notes. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders had already ordered the Arkansas National Guard to deploy two Black Hawk helicopters with Bambi buckets of their own earlier in the week, before the out-of-state aircraft arrived.
5NEWS reports that residents were allowed back into Calhoun County even as the Bunker Fire kept burning, with the outlet putting the blaze at nearly 2,000 acres still active in southern Arkansas and Arkansas's Department of Agriculture reporting it as 35% contained. That figure conflicts with the Arkansas Advocate's account, which put the fire at more than 2,800 acres burned and 75% contained as of Friday — a discrepancy that underscores how quickly conditions on the ground have been shifting.
Statewide Wildfire Risk Remains High
The Arkansas Advocate reports that all 75 of the state's counties are currently at high risk of wildfires, and 69 counties have burn bans in place, according to a state Department of Agriculture map. Arkansas emergency management officials said the Oklahoma and Mississippi aircraft will strengthen efforts by state and local agencies to contain the Bunker Fire, per News On 6's reporting. AJ Gary said the aviation support strengthens state and local agencies' ability to contain the blaze.
Interstate Compact Enables the Response
The Oklahoma deployment is being carried out through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a nationwide interstate mutual-aid agreement described by FEMA as a framework enabling states to assist one another during emergencies and disasters. The compact allows states to provide personnel, equipment and other resources to one another when disasters strike. Oklahoma National Guard leaders said the Arkansas deployment demonstrates the Guard's ability to respond when neighboring states request assistance, and the Oklahoma National Guard is coordinating with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Oklahoma Forestry Services throughout the mission.
Thomas H. Mancino said Oklahoma stands ready to support neighbors when they need assistance. The Oklahoma National Guard says it remains prepared to provide additional support for wildland firefighting operations inside Oklahoma if needed, even as its crew works the Bunker Fire lines in Arkansas.
