The Arkansas State Plant Board has confirmed the presence of an invasive beetle known for infesting and killing ash trees in three more counties. Officials announced Monday the addition of Calhoun, Union and Bradley counties to the list of confirmed sites of the emerald ash borer.
According to State Plant Board spokesman Scott Bray, previously confirmed sites include Clark, Columbia, Dallas, Hot Spring, Nevada and Ouachita counties.
In September 2014, the state implemented an emergency quarantine in a 25-county area that banned the movement of ash items including nursery stock and firewood in an effort to prevent the spread of the beetle.
The quarantine has not been changed since, but Bray says that may change depending on more emerald ash borer sightings.