News Release

Lower Buffalo Wilderness Closure Lifted

The view from Cozahome with smoke rising from the Lower Wilderness prescribed burn.

R. Wiggs

News Release Date: March 28, 2019

Contact: Buffalo NR Fire Management Office, 870-365-2700

The closure that was in effect from February 27 to March 27, 2019 for the Lower Buffalo Wilderness, Buffalo National River has now been lifted. The entire area, located in southeast Marion County approximately 7 miles southeast of Flippin, is now open to horse and foot traffic again. Visitors to the area should use caution as tree stumps and dead trees may continue to smolder and have the potential to set nearby leaf litter or grass on fire for short periods of time. This behavior will persist until the area receives adequate rainfall.


Over the last month fire crews spent multiple days and made multiple entries into the unit igniting and monitoring the prescribed burn. The fire burned in a mosaic pattern, generally backing down from the ridgetops into the drainages and valleys, helping to promote the restoration and maintenance of the ecosystem using fire as a natural component. The low intensity fire reduced the accumulation of dead and down fuels, lowering the chances for a catastrophic wildfire in the future and provides wildfire protection for adjacent lands during times of drought or extreme fire danger.