American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

Disaster Teams Provide Support for Greenwood Wildfire

LITTLE ROCK, July 29, 2011 — American Red Cross in Arkansas Disaster Teams provided a canteen with much needed water and beverages for firefighters and emergency crews last night as they fought a wildfire burning more than 100 acres in Greenwood, 20 miles southeast of Ft. Smith.

According to officials, the fire began after bottle rockets fired by two boys ignited the dry terrain. Winds from a pop up storm quickly pushed the size of the blaze. Sebastian County has been under excessive heat advisories and a burn ban for more than three weeks. In addition to destroying more than 100 acres, the fire caused evacuations of neighboring homes, displacing more than 50 residents for the evening.

Red Cross Teams provided disaster assistance to neighbors after three homes were burned during the fire’s movement. One of the three homes was destroyed. No residents were injured, although one firefighter was hospitalized with heat related conditions.

The American Red Cross in Arkansas responds to an average of four residential fires each day. Arkansas ranks number three on the Federal Emergency Management’s (FEMA) high fatality list.

While officials consider the fire contained, Red Cross Disaster Teams are on standby, to support firefighters if needed today.

For tips on improving your fire safety visit www.arkansasredcross.org.