Forestry Commission: Burn Bans in 22 Counties

According to the Forestry Commission, as of September 9, 2005, the following counties have a ban on open outdoor burning: Clarke, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Monroe, Pearl River, Perry, Rankin, Simpson, Stone, Walthall and Wayne.

“The wildfire threat to life and property is real,” said interim State Forester Everard Baker. “The broken and uprooted trees, limbs, and other vegetative debris found in areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina is 10 to 20 times the normal amount found in south Mississippi woodlands.” According to Baker, this buildup of debris will make wildfires burn more intensely and fire control more difficult.

http://www.mfc.state.ms.us/pdf/maps/mfcburnban.pdf