🌱 How Huntsville crews contained the dangerous Highway 74 charcoal plant fire

Hey there, Huntsville! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Huntsville crews contained the dangerous Highway 74 charcoal plant fire
• Why Madison County's burn ban still matters, even after this week's rain
• Where Huntsville stands in this year's stacked 4A-1 football race

Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 94 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Wednesday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, temps: high: 88, low: 68.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 90 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Fire Breaks Out at Huntsville Charcoal Plant (ktlo.com) — A major fire broke out Sunday evening at a charcoal plant on Highway 74 in Huntsville, drawing firefighters from multiple departments but causing no reported injuries. Crews battled heavy smoke and dangerous conditions, using specialized equipment and a thermal drone to control the blaze and keep it from spreading. The incident comes as the region remains under burn bans and faces moderate wildfire risk.
   

• Weekend fires highlight danger as Madison County burn ban remains (5newsonline.com) — Fire officials in Huntsville and across Madison County are warning residents to strictly follow the ongoing burn ban after recent trash burning and a fire at the Royal Oak Charcoal plant scorched acres of land. Huntsville Fire Chief Kevin Shinn and Smyrna's assistant chief describe how quickly fires are spreading, the strain on mostly volunteer crews, and why even rain doesn't make burning safe right now.
   

• Elks expect to repeat as champions, despite being picked second in 4A-1 behind Gravette (arkansasonline.com) — Elkins heads into the 2026 football season aiming to repeat as 4A state and conference champions, with Gravette picked by coaches as their top challenger. Huntsville is one of several 4A-1 schools hoping to shake up the standings after finishing 4-7 last year, in a league described as deep and competitive from top to bottom.
   

📸 Around Huntsville

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday August 25
• Golf @ Big Sugar Golf Couse vs Pea Ridge*
  Elkins School District Elkins, AR 72727
  4:00 pm
• VB vs Ozark
  Elkins School District Elkins, AR 72727
  4:30 pm
• Washington - Cub Scout Sign Up Night in the cafeteria
  Washington Elementary School Fayetteville, AR 72701
  6:00 pm
• Curriculum Night
  Mcnair Middle School Fayetteville, AR 72703
  6:00 pm
Wednesday August 26
• JV Golf @ Links of Bentonville vs Heritage
  Elkins School District Elkins, AR 72727
  4:00 pm
• FHS Open House
  Fayetteville High School FHS Campus
  5:00 pm
• Naturals Baseball National Anthem (2nd-4th)
  Asbell Elementary School Fayetteville, AR 72701
  6:25 pm
• Jonah Kagen →
  George's Majestic Lounge, 519 W Dickson St, Fayetteville
  8:30 pm
Thursday August 27
• VB vs Berryville
  Elkins School District Elkins, AR 72727
  4:00 pm
• Asbell Fall Block Party
  Asbell Elementary School Fayetteville, AR 72701
  4:30 pm
• 7th/JHFB vs Pea Ridge
  Elkins School District Elkins, AR 72727
  5:30 pm
Friday August 28
• Varsity FB @ Pea Ridge
  Elkins School District Elkins, AR 72727
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Messer Americas posted a job opening for Transportation Operations Manager in Berryville. Apply here.
• WALGREENS posted a job opening for Pharmacist - 60k Sign-On Bonus Available in Fayetteville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Huntsville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Eureka Springs

• Hallmark Is Looking for America's Merriest Christmas Town—See the 25 Finalists (countryliving.com)
• Catholic Traditions of First Friday and First Saturday (arkansas-catholic.org)
• UCA Community Development Institute marks 40 years of training community leaders (uca.edu)

Fayetteville

• 'Storybook of Wood' Exudes Mass Timber Innovation in Fayetteville (mycnr.com)

Ok Huntsville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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