Burn bans cover 55 Mississippi counties — here’s what’s still allowed

Burn bans cover 55 Mississippi counties — here’s what’s still allowed

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Fifty-five Mississippi counties are under a burn ban as of this week - more than half the state - as dry air, low humidity and high winds raise the risk of wildfires, according to the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

“Particularly when the wind picks up, humidity drops, that’s when we see the most wildfires,” said Shannon Coker, director of communications and government affairs for the Mississippi Forestry Commission. “Nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans. So be careful.”

Since July 1, the state has recorded about 1,000 wildfires, with crews now responding to 30 to 40 fires a day, according to the Forestry Commission.

October is Wildfire Awareness Month in Mississippi, and along with March, is historically one of the state’s worst months for wildfires.

A burn ban means no outdoor burning of any kind is allowed, including bonfires, fire pits and debris burning. Propane and gas-powered grills and heaters are still permitted.

How exemptions work

Mississippi allows six burn ban exemptions, determined by each county’s board of supervisors. They include:

- The Mississippi Forestry Commission

- Certified Burn Managers

- County Fire Services

- Commercial contractors with heavy construction equipment, provided the burn meets Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality regulations

- Agricultural field burning

- Other, county-specific exemptions

“The county board of supervisors, when they prepare the burn bans, they add the exemptions in, and we approve those generally,” Coker said. “They’re very limited.”

Coker said the governor can also call a statewide burn ban, but under current conditions, bans are being issued at the county level and approved by the state forester.

A Hinds County resident’s concern

For Melissa Floyd Brewer, who lives in Edwards, the exemption system feels far less reassuring when the smoke is close to home.

Brewer said burning on nearby property has crept closer to her home over the past two weeks. A tree fell near her property line Wednesday, and Thursday morning, she saw flames as she left for work. A news crew observed work crews managing the area around 11:45 a.m.

“I pull out of my driveway and I can automatically see the flames,” Brewer said. “Nobody’s over there watching it. And even the property owner, if they’re gonna control the burn, they should be present.”

“One swift move and we’re all gone,” she said.

Brewer said she believes exemptions shouldn’t apply in rural, heavily wooded areas like hers.

“I think there shouldn’t be an exemption in remote areas because we get ignored,” Brewer said. “We’re the last ones that anybody gets to.”

What happens if you violate a burn ban

Anyone found guilty of violating a burn ban can face a fine between $100 and $500.

If you see an active wildfire, officials say the first call should always be 911.

For suspected burn ban violations, the local sheriff’s office is the enforcing agency.

“This is the perfect time of year for a bonfire,” Coker said. “But if you’re under a burn ban, it is very serious. And one little spark can cause a wildfire. The number one cause of wildfires in Mississippi is escaped debris burns.”

Residents can check their county’s current burn ban status and exemptions at mfc.ms.gov.

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