A Fresh Burn Ban to Take Place in Lowndes County; Oktibbeha County Closely Evaluating Situation
In response to persisting dry conditions, the announcement of burn bans are proliferating throughout Mississippi, including Lowndes County where a new burn ban is set to be implemented starting this Sunday. This latest restriction joins a growing list of active burn bans in 10 counties across the state, which include Clay and Noxubee, according to the Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC). Moreover, the understanding is that a burn ban in Oktibbeha County might soon follow suit.
In anticipation of the seriously dry conditions, Mississippi Forestry Commission State Forester Russell Bozeman, informs that multiple county boards of supervisors have requested burn bans. “A burn ban prohibits outdoor burning, representing a sign that unpredictable wildfire conditions are present, therefore posing a danger to the public and to our wildland firefighters who are responding,” Bozeman explained in a press release on Monday.
Details of the Burn Ban
The stipulations set by MFC bans apply to any fire that uses an open flame and generates an ember. This includes campfires, bonfires and fire pits that generate sparks. However, gas grills or charcoal grills are exempt from this ban. Fire Service Coordinator for Lowndes County, Neal Austin, has confirmed that he has received approval for a burn ban from the county supervisors and has subsequently submitted the required documentation to the forestry commission.
The ban, based on MFC moisture information, is scheduled to be in force until October 1, barring any extensions due to local weather conditions. “Given the current dry conditions, we are approaching a danger zone, and as such, we’ve decided to implement these measures,” explained Austin. Violation of the ban can lead to a misdemeanor charge and a fine ranging from $100 to $500, as stipulated by state law, a penalty usually enforced by local sheriff’s departments.
Oktibbeha County on Alert
Although no burn ban has been issued in Oktibbeha County thus far, the area’s Fire Services Coordinator, Patrick Warner, informed that the situation is being continuously monitored. “We are liaising with the Mississippi Forestry and intend to assess the situation at the end of this week before deciding whether to launch a burn ban,” he wrote in a text message.
Preemptive Measures
In the absence of a countywide ban, Chief Charles Yarbrough of the Starkville Fire Department reported that a city burn ban was announced on Aug 22 on its Facebook page. According to Yarbrough, the fire marshal and he decided to instigate the city ban as a preventative measure. “Based on previous years’ experience, there were numerous city fires due to the lack of rainfall. We want to avoid a repeat of those situations.” explains Yarbrough. He further elaborated that the city’s burn ban will adhere to the same overall MFC guidelines on burn regulations and will persist indefinitely until a “significant” degree of rainfall is recorded.
Current State of Burn Bans
In addition to Lowndes, Clay, and Oktibbeha counties, burn bans are also in effect in Adams, Alcorn, Carroll, Franklin, Lee, Monroe, Montgomery, and Winston counties. A burn ban in Union county is also set to begin this coming Sunday. Public cooperation in adhering to these precautionary measures will greatly reduce the risk of wildfires, contribute to fire safety, and ultimate serve the well-being of the community.
