State-wide burn ban in effect
JACKSON – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has declared a State of Emergency banning all outdoor burning because of extremely dry conditions statewide. The dry conditions have increased the risk for wildfires, and forest fires already have burned wide areas of Mississippi, causing damage to public and private property and timberland.
“Everyone across the state needs to take the threat of wildfire seriously,” Gov. Barbour said. “These dry conditions can cause fires to quickly spread out of control. I urge everyone to be mindful of how you dispose of flammable objects, such as cigarettes and matches, and to refrain from burning trash or leaves.”
The State of Emergency comes less than a day after at least 39 of Mississippi’s 82 counties issued individual burn bans.
Officials said some $300 million dollars in timber has already been lost due to accidental wildfires due to carelessness.
Firefighters have also fought numerous grassfires on the side of roadways and highways where motorists have tossed lit cigarettes out of the window quickly igniting dry grass.
Reportedly, Mississippi is the driest it’s been in three years, within no significant rainfall within the last 30 days.
The ban remains in effect until conditions improve.
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