DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. — DeSoto County does not have a burn ban, at least not yet. The county is missing from the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s list of active outdoor burn bans as of Saturday, Nov. 14. More than 50 Mississippi counties are on that list, including Marshall County next door. The National Weather Service in Memphis warns that a week of bone-dry weather is coming. Forecasters expect essentially no rain for at least seven days and low afternoon humidity. They also say drought conditions across the Mid-South will likely get worse.
Even without a formal ban, anyone in Southaven, Olive Branch, Horn Lake, Hernando, Walls or the county’s rural areas who plans to burn leaves or brush this week should be careful.
Where the DeSoto County Burn Ban Question Stands
The Mississippi Forestry Commission’s burn-ban table shows which counties have active bans and when each one expires. As of Saturday, DeSoto, Tate, Tunica and Panola counties were not on it. Several nearby north Mississippi counties were:
Marshall County: ban from Oct. 20 through Nov. 20
Yalobusha County: ban from Oct. 22 through Nov. 30
Pontotoc County: ban from Oct. 20 through Nov. 20
Lee County: ban from Oct. 13 through Dec. 1
In Mississippi, a county’s board of supervisors normally requests a burn ban and the Forestry Commission approves it. Each ban expires at midnight on the end date listed. Once a ban is in place, the local sheriff’s department enforces it. Under state law, knowingly violating a ban is a misdemeanor with a fine of $100 to $500.
A ban means no open flame that throws embers. That includes campfires, bonfires, fire pits and rings, burn barrels, and debris or field burning. Propane and gas grills, gas heaters and charcoal grills are still allowed when used safely. The Forestry Commission notes that wind can carry embers up to half a mile and start new fires.
Dry, Warming Week Raises Fire Danger
The weather service’s Saturday morning forecast discussion says high pressure will keep the Mid-South dry and gradually warmer through late next week. Forecasters said the chance of wetting rain “will remain near zero over the next seven days.” They added that afternoon relative humidity could drop below 30% each day through Wednesday and possibly into the upper teens or low 20s later in the week.
Light winds are the main thing keeping fire danger from climbing higher, the weather service said. Still, it said the danger “will creep a little higher each day.”
The forecast for Hernando shows the warming trend:
Tonight: widespread frost, low around 32
Sunday: mostly sunny, high near 58
Monday: sunny, high near 61
Tuesday: sunny, high near 63
Wednesday and Thursday: highs in the upper 60s, with low 70s possible by Friday and Saturday
Drought Still Covers All of DeSoto County
Rain around Election Day eased the worst of the drought, but it didn’t end it. The U.S. Drought Monitor released Nov. 12 still shows all of DeSoto County in at least moderate drought. About 16% of the county is in severe drought. Across the Memphis weather service’s coverage area, about 95% of the land is in moderate drought or worse. The weather service said continued drying will likely make the drought worse over the next week.
Tips If You Plan to Burn
Check your city’s rules first. Many cities limit or ban open burning inside city limits.
Don’t burn on breezy afternoons, when humidity is lowest.
Keep piles small, clear the area around them, and keep a water hose and shovel nearby.
Never leave a fire unattended. Make sure it is completely out, cold to the touch, before you walk away.
Douse used charcoal with water and let it cool fully before you throw it away.
Report any fire that is out of control by calling 911.
If DeSoto County supervisors request a burn ban, it will appear on the Forestry Commission’s list, and DeSoto County News will report it.
