DeSoto County’s fire danger is climbing again. Burn bans are now in effect in two of its three Mississippi neighbors, and the National Weather Service in Memphis issued another Fire Danger Statement for the area on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Marshall County, on DeSoto’s eastern border, joined the statewide list this week. As of Wednesday, the Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) listed 53 counties with burn bans in place or scheduled.
DeSoto County itself still did not appear on the MFC’s burn ban list Wednesday. With no rain in the forecast and the county in severe drought, though, forecasters are urging residents to be careful with anything that can throw a spark.
Burn Bans Close In Around DeSoto County
The MFC’s burn ban table shows how fast the bans have spread across north Mississippi over the past week. Neighboring and nearby counties now under bans include:
Marshall County: issued Oct. 20, expires Nov. 20
Tate County: issued Sept. 30, expires Oct. 31
Lafayette County: through Nov. 6
Tallahatchie County: through Oct. 31
Quitman County: issued Oct. 19, through Nov. 16
Pontotoc County: issued Oct. 20, through Nov. 20
Tippah County: issued Oct. 21, through Nov. 21
That is a sharp jump from the weekend. When DeSoto County News last checked on Oct. 18, 36 counties were under bans. Since Oct. 19 the MFC has added Hinds, Madison, Jones, Chickasaw, Tishomingo, Choctaw and others.
Under state law, a county’s board of supervisors normally requests a burn ban and the MFC approves it. Every ban expires at midnight on its listed date. The local sheriff’s department enforces them. Anyone who knowingly and willfully violates one is guilty of a misdemeanor, and the fine runs from $100 to $500.
Fire Danger Statement for DeSoto County
The weather service’s Fire Danger Statement, issued at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, covers DeSoto County and most of the Mid-South until 7 p.m. It warned that weather conditions “will be favorable for wildfire growth,” with:
Relative humidity between 20 and 30 percent
Northeast winds up to 10 mph
10-hour fuel moisture around 10 percent
The statement discourages outdoor burning and any activity that involves open sparks or flames. It also asks residents to report any wildfire to local law enforcement right away.
In its midday forecast discussion, the Memphis office said elevated fire weather will continue Thursday, when afternoon humidity is expected to fall below 30 percent across the whole region. Winds should stay light, peaking around 10 mph, which is why forecasters do not expect to need Red Flag Warnings. Similar conditions will likely bring more fire danger statements through the rest of the week.
No Rain in Sight as Drought Deepens
The dry pattern is not breaking soon. Forecasters said an “omega block” pattern will hold the weather in place through early next week, keeping the Mid-South under high pressure. Highs will warm into the upper 70s to low 80s by the end of the week. The weather service said its ensemble guidance is “not too keen” on a system to the west bringing impacts to the Mid-South next week.
The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map, valid Oct. 13, put all of DeSoto County in at least moderate drought (D1) and 92.5 percent of the county in severe drought (D2). The next update is due Thursday.
What You Can and Can’t Do
DeSoto County has no ban in place, but fire officials’ safety advice applies countywide. Where a burn ban is in effect, the MFC says anything with an open flame that produces an ember is not allowed, including:
Campfires, bonfires, fire pits and fire rings
Burn barrels and debris or field burning
Propane and gas grills, gas heaters and charcoal grills are still allowed if they are used as the manufacturer directs, kept away from anything that can burn, and never left unattended. The MFC warns that charcoal briquettes are a particular concern. Let coals cool completely, soak them in water, and put them in a metal container. The ash should be cold to the touch before it is thrown away.
The weather service also reminds everyone to dispose of cigarettes and matches properly and to obey any local burn bans. Embers carried by the wind can start spot fires up to half a mile from the original fire, according to the MFC.
Residents planning fall yard cleanups should check the MFC burn ban page before lighting any debris pile, especially anyone with property that crosses into Marshall or Tate counties.
