Statewide Burn Ban Lifted

There are still several counties that will remain under individual burn bans which were issued prior to the statewide burn ban. For the counties that are still under burn bans, each County Board of Supervisors has the option to lift their burn ban, allow it to expire on the predetermined deadline, or to extend their burn ban. The option they choose will likely depend on the rainfall amount, wildfire occurrence, and weather forecast for their area.

The Mississippi Forestry Commission would like to commend our wildland firefighters, who did an outstanding job during this dangerous time. Each one of them worked long hours to protect people’s lives, properties, and our state’s natural resources.

Please continue to use care when engaging in outdoor burning activities even though the statewide ban has been lifted. Remember: nine out of ten wildfires are caused by humans and are completely preventable. Do not burn on windy days and observe weather conditions before you do any outdoor burning.

Attached is a list of counties that will remain under a county burn ban as of today (10-26-15 at 4:35 pm). This list will be updated on our website as counties send in requests to lift their burn bans (click here to view the most updated list of burn bans). If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Mississippi Forestry Commission with the contact information listed above.

County	Date Issued	Date Expires	Exemptions (see below)
Hinds Co.	07-21-2015	11-15-2015	2,5
Adams Co.	08-03-2015	10-31-2015	2,4,5
Copiah Co.	08-03-2015	11-09-2015	2,3,5
Franklin Co.	08-03-2015	11-02-2015	2,3,5
Rankin Co.	09-03-2015	10-30-2015	2,3,5
Lincoln Co.	09-08-2015	11-02-2015	1
Smith Co.	09-08-2015	11-08-2015	2,3,5,6
JeffersonDavis Co.	09-08-2015	Until Further Notice	1
Simpson Co.	09-14-2015	11-17-2015	2,3,5
Lawrence Co.	09-21-2015	10-26-2015	1
Lauderdale Co.	09-25-2015	Until Further Notice	2,3
Pike Co.	10-05-2015	10-30-2015	1
Panola Co.	10-05-2015	11-02-2015	2,3
Amite Co.	10-05-2015	10-26-2015	2,3
Washington Co.	10-05-2015	Until Further Notice	1
Tallahatchie Co.	10-05-2015	Until Further Notice	1
Walthall Co.	10-05-2015	10-31-2015	2,3
Holmes Co.	10-06-2015	11-06-2015	1
Humphreys Co.	10-06-2015	11-05-2015	6
Grenada Co.	10-08-2015	11-08-2015	2
Covington Co.	10-09-2015	10-31-2015	2,3
Yalobusha Co.	10-09-2015	11-09-2015	1
Marion Co.	10-12-2015	10-31-2015	2
Warren Co.	10-12-2015	11-12-2015	2,3,4,6
Attala Co.	10-13-2015	Until Further Notice	2,3
Lowndes Co.	10-15-2015	10-30-2015	2,3,4,5,6
Oktibbeha Co.	10-15-2015	10-29-2015	2,3
Jones Co.	10-15-2015	Until Further Notice	1
Tate Co.	10-16-2015	11-15-2015	2,3,6
Neshoba Co.	10-16-2015	11-05-2015	2
Wayne Co.	10-16-2015	Until Further Notice	2,3
Scott Co.	10-16-2015	11-16-2015	2,3
Marshall Co.	10-19-2015	11-18-2015	2
Union Co.	10-19-2015	11-16-2015	2
Monroe Co.	10-19-2015	11-02-2015	2,4
Webster Co.	10-19-2015	10-31-2015	2
Lawrence Co.	10-19-2015	11-16-2015	1
Leake Co.	10-19-2015	Until Further Notice	2,3,5
Tishomingo Co.	10-19-2015	11-02-2015	1
DeSoto Co.	10-19-2015	11-16-2015	1
Clarke Co.	10-19-2015	11-23-2015	1
Lafayette Co.	10-20-2015	12-07-2015	2
Chickasaw Co.	10-20-2015	11-02-2015	2

Any person who knowingly and willfully violates a burning ban is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined not less than $100 and not more than $500. Section 49-19-351 of MS Code of 1972, as amended).

Types of Exemptions:

1. No exemptions from this burn ban
2. Mississippi Forestry Commission
3. Certified Burn Managers
4. County Fire Services
5. Commercial contractors with heavy construction equipment, providing that said burn meets the State’s DEQ regulations. MDEQ regulations regarding open burning of brush piles require a separation distance of 1,500 feet from a residence without forced air assistance and 500 feet with forced air assistance.
6. Agriculture field burn
7. Other