Much of Mississippi under a burn ban as drought conditions continue

Much of Mississippi under a burn ban as. Much of Mississippi under a burn ban as drought conditions continue.

Key points

• With dry weather prevailing throughout the state of Mississippi, the Mississippi Forestry Commission has issued burn bans for a majority of the state's 82 counties.
• 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).
• "Right now, one spark is all it can take to start a wildfire, " remarked Randy Giachelli, MFC Fire Chief, in August.
• Trump coming to Mississippi ahead of Election Day to rally backing for Hyde-Smith, GOP field.

52 of the state's 82 counties have burn bans in place, restricting the lighting of campfires, burn barrels, and field burning.

Throughout the month the commission has been issuing burn bans throughout 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 individuals 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 applied 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."

Notably, the Mississippi Forestry Commission problems 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.

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 documented KDBI conditions were between 600 to 700.

"Right now, one spark is all it can take to start a wildfire, " remarked 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."

Meanwhile, 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 at present facing extreme drought conditions. The rest of the state is either abnormally dry or under a moderate drought.

While others are projected to continue into mid-November, some of the current burn bans have an anticipated end date of October 31 at midnight.

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. Regarding the Author(s).

Jeremy Pittari is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. Born and raised in Slidell, La., he moved to South Mississippi in the early 90s. Jeremy earned an associate in arts from Pearl River Community College and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism. A week after Hurricane Katrina, he began an internship as a reporter with the community newspaper in Pearl River County. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position at that news outlet where he covered the recovery process post Katrina in Pearl River and Hancock Counties. For almost 17 years he wrote concerning local administration, education, law enforcement, crime, business and a variety of other topics. Email Jeremy: [email protected].

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Taken together, the developments around much of Mississippi under a burn ban as drought conditions continue point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.