The National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi, has posted a Fire Weather Watch for Ashley and Chicot counties for Friday. Forecasters say gusty north winds, low humidity and critically dry fuels could let any fire spread fast around Crossett, Hamburg, Lake Village, Eudora and Dermott.
The watch runs from Friday morning through Friday evening. The alert expires at 8 p.m. Friday. Forecasters say outdoor burning is not recommended.
What forecasters expect
- Wind: North winds 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph.
- Humidity: Lowest relative humidity between 25 and 45 percent.
- Fuels: Critically dry grass, leaves and brush.
- Impact: Any fire that starts will likely spread rapidly.
Local forecast
Thursday stays hot, with highs near 93 in both Crossett and Lake Village. Friday turns cooler, with a high near 79 and northwest winds picking up through the day. NWS point forecasts call for gusts as high as 30 mph in Crossett and 35 mph in Lake Village, then a Friday night low in the mid to upper 40s.
Watch versus warning
A watch means critical fire weather conditions are forecast. NWS Jackson says it may upgrade the watch to a Red Flag Warning, which means those conditions are happening or about to happen. As of early Thursday, no upgrade had been issued.
What residents should do
- Hold off on burning: Put off brush piles, leaf burning and trash fires until winds and humidity improve.
- Watch for sparks: Trailer chains, mowers and hot exhaust can start grass fires along roads such as U.S. Highway 82 and U.S. Highway 65.
- Report smoke fast: Call 911 if you see a fire that is spreading.
- Check local rules: County burn bans can change quickly. Check with Ashley County or Chicot County officials before any outdoor burning.
Southeast Arkansas context
Ashley and Chicot counties fall under the NWS office in Jackson. Neighboring Union and Columbia counties are under a separate Fire Weather Watch from NWS Shreveport. As of early Thursday, no fire weather watch was posted for Drew, Desha, Bradley or Lincoln counties, which are served by NWS Little Rock. Dry conditions have driven burn bans and wildfire calls across the region this fall, including in Bradley County.
Sources
- National Weather Service Jackson, Miss.: Fire weather page and Fire Weather Watch issued Oct. 14, 2026, at 4:45 p.m. CDT, via api.weather.gov.
- NWS point forecasts: Crossett and Lake Village, retrieved early Oct. 15, 2026.
File photo: Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (storefronts in downtown Lake Village).
