Several southwest Mississippi counties are under burn bans as of Thursday morning, restricting all outdoor burning amid ongoing dry conditions, county officials and the Mississippi Forestry Commission said.
Scattered light rain showers could move across the region Thursday morning, with higher rain and thunderstorm chances expected late Thursday afternoon into the evening as a cold front pushes through the state. Isolated severe storms capable of producing hail up to quarter size are possible across parts of north and central Mississippi, officials said.
Officials cautioned that forecast rainfall could help soil and vegetation moisture but may not be sufficient to immediately lift burn bans. Residents are urged to check the current status of their county’s burn ban before conducting any outdoor burning. County boards of supervisors typically request burn bans, and the Mississippi Forestry Commission approves them.
Under a burn ban, no outdoor burning of any kind is allowed. Local sheriff’s departments enforce the bans, and anyone who knowingly and willfully violates a ban is guilty of a misdemeanor and may face a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 under Section 49-19-351 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, officials said. Prohibited items include campfires, bonfires, fire pits, fire rings, burn barrels, debris burning and field burning. Even small fires can pose a risk because wind can carry embers up to one-half mile and ignite spot fires.
Certain activities may be exempt if specifically listed in a county’s burn ban order, such as certified burn managers, county fire services, commercial contractors using heavy construction equipment in compliance with Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality regulations, and designated agricultural burns. Propane or gas grills and heaters and charcoal grills are generally allowed if used according to manufacturer instructions, kept away from combustible materials and never left unattended; charcoal briquettes should be allowed to cool completely and doused with water before disposal in a metal container. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
