The almost two-month burn ban enforced in 52 Mississippi counties, including the Golden Triangle, has been lifted, according to a press release from the Mississippi Forestry Commission.
Gov. Phil Bryant on Friday issued a proclamation to lift the partial state-level burn ban, which went into effect on Oct. 11, after significant rainfall occurred this week with more rain forecasted.
But, as of Friday, 15 counties — Calhoun, Claiborne, Franklin, George, Hinds, Jasper, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Kemper, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lincoln, Sharkey, Simpson and Stone — will remain under burn bans initiated independently by county boards of supervisors.
Residents in those counties can check the Mississippi Forestry Commission website to see if their county has lifted the burn bans in effect there.
The MFC requested the burn ban in October because of the increase in wildfire occurrences, elevated drought conditions, dry vegetation, and the forecasted weather patterns.
MFC Wildland Firefighters have suppressed 1,166 wildfires that burned 10,943 acres in Mississippi since the beginning of September, said State Forester Charlie Morgan in the release.
The release says, despite the rainfall, residents should continue to take caution when burning outdoors and check weather forecasts before doing so.
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