Copiah County burn ban set to expire at midnight

Special to Wesson News

Copiah County’s burn ban is scheduled to expire at midnight Tuesday, Sept. 1, pending any official extension by local authorities or the Mississippi Forestry Commission

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At the time of this writing, no update or extension to the burn ban has been announced.

The county has been under the burn ban since Aug. 17 amid hot, dry conditions and an increased risk of wildfires.

The restriction was implemented as Mississippi experienced a significant increase in wildfire activity. According to the Mississippi Forestry Commission, firefighters responded to 60 wildfires statewide in July before that number climbed to 154 in August when burn bans were announced in several counties.

Burn bans are used during periods of elevated fire danger to reduce the risk of outdoor fires spreading and threatening homes, property and wooded areas.

Unless local officials extend the restriction, Copiah County’s current burn ban will end at midnight Sept. 1.

Residents planning outdoor burning after the ban expires should continue to use caution and monitor weather conditions. Dry vegetation, wind and high temperatures can allow fires to spread quickly even when a burn ban is no longer in effect.

Residents are encouraged to check for updated restrictions before conducting outdoor burning, as burn bans can be extended or reinstated when conditions warrant.

The Mississippi Forestry Commission maintains an updated list of active burn bans and wildfire information on its website.