National Weather ServiceArkansasFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Arkansas
The National Weather Service issued 2 fire weather watches for Arkansas in 2025 and 3 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 42nd most of any state. 2026 through September: 3, 35% above the average of 2 for those months in 2008-2025. Benton was covered most often (17 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Arkansas get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Arkansas. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Arkansas get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Arkansas?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton | 17 | 4 | March 22, 2026 |
| Johnson | 17 | 0 | March 6, 2018 |
| Logan | 17 | 0 | March 6, 2018 |
| Marion | 17 | 0 | October 14, 2022 |
| Polk | 17 | 0 | April 7, 2016 |
| Pope | 17 | 0 | March 6, 2018 |
| Scott | 17 | 0 | March 6, 2018 |
| Baxter | 16 | 0 | October 14, 2022 |
| Boone | 16 | 0 | March 6, 2018 |
| Montgomery | 16 | 0 | April 7, 2016 |
| Newton | 16 | 0 | March 6, 2018 |
| Searcy | 16 | 0 | March 6, 2018 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Arkansas.