JACKSON, Miss.- The heat is slowly leaving with fall with cool temps already in the forecast for Mississippi. This is causing things to dry up, which increases the potential for wildfire’s across the state.
Since June 1 2016, there have already been 259 wildfires burning 2,363 acres of land in Mississippi. The Mississippi Forestry Commission wildland firefighters were able to save 348 structures that were being damaged or destroyed from these blazes.
Burn bans are often initiated and are prone to change at any time. For the most frequent updates please visit the MFC website.
The MFC has provided a few tips to prevent wildfires:
- Find out if there is a burn ban in your area before you start burning.
- Check on the local weather forecast. Do not burn on dry, windy days. Embers are easily carried from campfires and can travel as far as a half a mile away causing severe burning in other areas.
- Choose a safe location for any burn site. To view a list of standards regarding burning visit the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality website.
Nine out of ten wildfires in the nation are caused by people who could have prevented them with proper care.
