Alcorn County Burn Ban Ends, but Fire Danger Lingers
The Alcorn County burn ban has ended. The emergency ban on outdoor burning ran from Sept. 28 through Oct. 12. As of Tuesday, Oct. 13, Alcorn County no longer appears on the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s list of counties with active burn bans, so no extension was filed before it expired. The rain that would normally ease fire danger still hasn’t come, though, so officials and forecasters are urging residents to be very careful with any outdoor fire this week.
The commission’s updated statewide map, posted Tuesday morning, shows no burn ban in Alcorn, Prentiss or Tishomingo counties. Two neighboring counties are still under bans: Tippah County through Oct. 18 and Itawamba County through Oct. 21.
Alcorn County Burn Ban Over, but Drought Remains
The ban was issued during the driest stretch of the fall. In recent weeks the U.S. Drought Monitor has shown all of Alcorn County in severe drought. The remnants of Tropical Storm Isaias brought much less rain than forecast last weekend. The Corinth airport recorded less than half an inch on Saturday, Oct. 10.
The end of the ban makes outdoor burning legal again, but conditions are still dry. Grass, leaves and brush across the county are parched, and a fire can spread quickly in those conditions.
Statewide, 22 Mississippi counties were under burn bans as of Tuesday. Several, including Simpson and Copiah counties, were added in the past two days. Most of the active bans are in north-central and southwest Mississippi.
Forecast: Hot, Dry, Then a Windy Cold Front Friday
The National Weather Service in Memphis forecasts more unseasonable heat for Corinth before a sharp change at the end of the week:
- Tuesday: Sunny, high near 91
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 92, with only a 20% chance of a brief afternoon shower
- Thursday: Sunny, high near 92
- Friday: Cold front arrives; high near 78, northwest winds 5 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph
- Friday night: Low around 46, north winds gusting to 30 mph
- Saturday: Sunny and cooler, high near 68
No meaningful rain is in the forecast. Friday will bring gusty winds behind the front while vegetation is still dry, which is the kind of setup that lets a small debris fire get out of control.
Safe Burning Tips Now That the Ban Is Lifted
Anyone planning to burn yard debris should use common-sense precautions:
- Avoid burning on windy days, especially Friday and Friday night.
- Keep piles small and well away from homes, sheds, fences and woods.
- Clear a wide fire break down to bare dirt around the pile.
- Keep a charged garden hose, water and a shovel nearby.
- Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it is completely out before you walk away.
- Check with the Mississippi Forestry Commission about burn permits and any new bans before you burn.
Alcorn County officials could issue a new burn ban if conditions get worse. Residents can check the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s burn ban page for the current list.
Related: Alcorn County Burn Ban Set to Expire Tonight Amid Drought | Isaias Rain Falls Short in Corinth as Record Heat Returns
Source: Mississippi Forestry Commission; forecast from the National Weather Service Memphis
