Lafayette County, Oxford impose 30-day burn ban
Lafayette County and the city of Oxford are under a 30-day burn ban effective immediately after approval by the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors and the Mississippi Forestry Commission, county officials said.
The Board of Supervisors enacted the restriction Monday at the request of Lafayette County Fire Department Chief Wes Anderson, and the forestry commission’s approval gives the ban legal authority and enforcement status under state law, officials said.
Fire Chief Wes Anderson said the county remains in moderate to severe drought conditions and that vegetation is critically dry. “With no meaningful precipitation in the forecast, vegetation is critically dry and fire risk is elevated across the county. This burn ban is necessary to protect lives and property,” he said.
The ban prohibits open burning of debris, brush, leaves, yard waste and vegetation, agricultural, land-clearing and timber burns, recreational campfires and bonfires, and outdoor burning of trash or household waste. It allows cooking on charcoal, propane or natural gas grills; contained propane or natural gas fire pits with no wood burning; welding and cutting operations conducted with proper safety precautions; and prescribed burns authorized in writing by the Mississippi Forestry Commission prior to the ban.
Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties under Mississippi law. Residents who observe illegal burning are asked to contact the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office or the Lafayette County Fire Department. Oxford is the county seat and is home to the University of Mississippi. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
