WALTHALL — Webster County is now under a burn ban as ordered by the Board of Supervisors because of extreme drought conditions.
The board voted unanimously Monday to issue a countywide burn ban for 30 days from Nov. 6. President Pat Cummings called county Fire Coordinator/EMA Director Barry Rushing immediately afterwards to inform him of the board’s action.
Burn bans are restrictions on outdoor burning during drought or wildfire conditions. During a burn ban, anything with an open flame that produces an ember is not allowed. The county Board of Supervisors normally requests burn bans, and the Mississippi Forestry Commission approves the requests. All burn bans expire at midnight on the stated date of expiration.
Webster County supervisors voted to implement the ban here after Paul Lanthrip of the Mathiston Fire Department requested the board do so because of the high number of local grass/brush/woods fires that have occurred since late August, including at least two in the Eupora area the day before.
Webster 911 records show local fire departments and the MFC responded to at least 30 grass, brush or woods fires between Aug. 25 and Sunday.
According to the Forestry Commission’s website, nearly 70 counties now have burn bans. MFC is asking the public to remain attentive and comply with burn bans to prevent wildfires. A partial state-level burn ban is still in effect in addition to those implemented by individual counties.
