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- 52 of the state’s 82 counties have burn bans in place, restricting the lighting of campfires, burn barrels, and field burning.
With dry weather prevailing across the state of Mississippi, the Mississippi Forestry Commission has issued burn bans for a majority of the state’s 82 counties.
Throughout the month the commission has been issuing burn bans across the state due to a lack of rainfall. October is historically a drier month in Mississippi, resulting in the precautionary action taken by the commission.
Burn bans place a restriction on any type of outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, debris burning, fire pits, burn barrels and the burning of fields. Typically people are still allowed to grill outdoors using propane or charcoal grills during the restriction period. While charcoal grills are allowed, the MFC recommends proper care and disposal of used charcoal.
“After use let the coals cool completely and douse in water before disposing of them in a metal container,” MFC cautions. “The residual ash should be cold to the touch before disposal.”
The Mississippi Forestry Commission issues burn bans after a county’s board of supervisors sends a request for one, typically in times of limited to non-existent rainfall that create dry conditions.
As of Wednesday, October 21, 52 Mississippi counties had a burn ban in place.
Dry conditions as measured under the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KDBI) by measuring the moisture in the soil on a scale of 0 (moisture rich) to 800 (extreme drought). Back in August, the MFC reported KDBI conditions were between 600 to 700.
“Right now, one spark is all it can take to start a wildfire,” said Randy Giachelli, MFC Fire Chief, in August. “If it’s hot, dry, or windy, don’t burn. Something as routine as burning debris, using equipment that creates sparks, or improperly disposing of hot coals can have serious consequences when vegetation is this dry. The best wildfire is the one we never have to fight.”
A weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service on October 16 stated that northwest Mississippi is in a state of exceptional drought or extreme drought, with southeast Mississippi currently facing extreme drought conditions. The rest of the state is either abnormally dry or under a moderate drought.
Some of the current burn bans have an anticipated end date of October 31 at midnight, while others are expected to continue into mid-November.
Fines can be levied against anyone who “knowingly or willingly” violates a burn ban. Fines range from $100 for the first offense, up to a maximum of $500.
For an up-to-date list of the counties with current burn bans, and the exemptions allowed, visit the Mississippi Forestry Commission here.
