MFC Approves Lee County Burn Ban

On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at the request of the Lee County Board of Supervisors, the Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) approved a county-wide burn ban, effective immediately.

“Wildfires typically pick up in Mississippi in late September through the end of October,” said MFC state forester Russell Bozeman.

The MFC approved the Lee County burn ban due to the increase in wildfire activity, elevated drought conditions, dry vegetation and forecasted weather patterns. The current seven-day forecast does not predict significant rainfall large enough to pull the state out of the current drought.

“Over the past two weeks, MFC wildland firefighters have responded to more than 60 wildfires across the state that have burned nearly 2,000 acres,” Bozeman said. “Because of the lack of rainfall the state has seen over the past month and the current forecast, the threat of wildfire is elevated across the state.”

A burn ban means no outdoor burning of any kind. Under state law, anyone caught burning during a burn ban may be fined up to $500. Individuals are also responsible for any damage caused by the flame or smoke from a fire they set.

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