The Starkville Fire Department issued a citywide burn ban Tuesday morning, something that usually happens around this time of year, Fire Marshal Stein McMullen said.
The lack of rain in recent weeks makes it risky to burn piles of vegetation outdoors, so it will be illegal to do so until further notice, McMullen said. The ban could last longer than a month if there is little to no rain in that time.
“It depends on how soon we get enough rain to get moisture back into the plants so they won’t burn so readily,” McMullen said.
Outside burning, with the exception of grilling, is forbidden in city limits while the ban is in place, and the city will not issue new burn permits until the ban is lifted. Oktibbeha County is not under a burn ban.
Anyone caught burning illegally will be fined up to $500 plus any costs to the city. Mayor Lynn Spruill reminded the public of the ban Tuesday evening at the board of aldermen meeting.
Residential burn permits only last seven days, so the city will reissue new ones free of charge to anyone who received one within the past week once the ban is lifted, McMullen said.
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