Fort Smith, AR Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Fort Smith sits in the Arkansas River Valley near the Ouachita Mountains, and the broader region carries seasonal wildfire risk, particularly during the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's spring and fall fire seasons. However, neither Arkansas nor Fort Smith has adopted a formal Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone (WHSZ) system or California-style defensible-space mandate (Government Code 51178 / 4291). Instead, fuel vegetation is regulated through Fort Smith Code of Ordinances Chapter 16 (Nuisances), which makes it unlawful for the owner or occupant of any lot or parcel within the city limits to allow grass, weeds, or rank vegetation to exceed 6 inches in height. The ordinance also requires owners or occupants to maintain adjoining unopened street rights-of-way, utility easements, unopened alleys, and the non-driving portion of opened alleys so weeds and grasses do not exceed 10 inches. Railroad companies must maintain their rights-of-way to the same 10-inch standard. Limited agricultural-use exemptions apply within the city. Enforcement is handled by Fort Smith Neighborhood Services, which inspects on complaint and issues a Notice of Violation requiring abatement, typically within 7 to 10 days. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Forestry Division separately operates the Arkansas Firewise USA Program, encouraging voluntary defensible space - 'lean, clean, and green' - around homes near wildland. Burning of brush, leaves, or other vegetation cleared from a lot is separately prohibited inside Fort Smith unless a Commercial Burn Permit is issued by the Fire Marshal.