Lauderdale County residents are encouraged to avoid outdoor burning as a combination of high heat and drought create ideal conditions for fire to get out of control.
Fire Coordinator Allan Dover said the best thing residents can do is hold off on burning until conditions improve. If burning must be done, he said it’s critical residents stay with the fire the entire time and have water standing by to extinguish the flames if needed.
“We would prefer that they not burn,” he said.
Wind also plays a factor in assessing fire danger, and anything over five miles per hour, combined with drought conditions, can cause fire to quickly grow out of control. Even striking a rock with a lawnmower can start a small fire in some instances.
Dover said the dangerously high temperatures pose another challenge for county firefighters as they try to respond to grass and brush fires. A volunteer firefighter was taken to the hospital last week due to dehydration while fighting a fire in southern Lauderdale County.
Without rain, Dover said Lauderdale County will likely see the number of fire calls increase.
In South Mississippi, a woods fire in Jackson County has burned more than 1,400 acres as firefighters work to contain the blaze. The fire was 65% contained as of Tuesday, the Mississippi Forestry Commission announced.
“This fire is a reminder of how quickly a wildfire can become a serious threat under the conditions we’re experiencing,” said State Forester Russell Bozeman. “Our firefighters are prepared to respond, but wildfire prevention begins with all of us. As we move toward fall wildfire season, we’re asking every Mississippian to pay attention to the weather, follow burn bans, and avoid any activity that could accidentally start a wildfire.”
Additionally, the Mississippi Forestry Commission has issued burn bans for Copiah, Simpson, Franklin, Lawrence, Jefferson Davis, Pike, Walthall and Grenada counties.
“Right now, one spark is all it can take to start a wildfire,” said Randy Giachelli, MFC Fire Chief. “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.”
Nearly nine out of 10 wildfires nationwide are caused by humans, making prevention especially important during periods of elevated fire danger. MFC urges residents to take the following precautions:
- Avoid outdoor burning on hot, dry, or windy days.
- Obey all county burn bans and local burning restrictions.
- Never leave an outdoor fire unattended.
- Make sure campfires, charcoal, and ashes are completely extinguished and cold before leaving or disposing of them.
- Use extra caution with equipment that can produce sparks near dry grass, leaves or other vegetation.
- Properly dispose of smoking materials and never discard them from a vehicle.
- Keep vehicles and equipment away from tall, dry grass where hot exhaust systems could ignite vegetation.
- If conditions are questionable, wait to burn.
Anyone who sees a wildfire should report it immediately by calling 911.