The Tippah County burn ban no longer appears on the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s list of counties under outdoor burning restrictions. The change shows up on the commission’s county burn ban map and table, updated Sunday night, Oct. 18. But the weather has not improved. The National Weather Service in Memphis issued a Fire Danger Statement for Monday afternoon, Oct. 19, covering the whole Mid-South, and forecasters expect dry weather to last all week.
Tippah County Burn Ban Missing From the Latest Map
On the Forestry Commission’s Oct. 15 map, Tippah County was shaded red with about 30 other Mississippi counties. On the new map, posted late Sunday, Tippah is no longer shaded. The commission’s online table of active bans lists 34 counties, and Tippah is not one of them. Benton County, which dropped off the map last week, is still not listed.
The commission has not said why Tippah came off the list. County boards of supervisors normally request burn bans and the Forestry Commission approves them, and each ban ends on its stated expiration date unless it is renewed. Residents who are unsure whether a local restriction still applies should check with the Tippah County Board of Supervisors or the Tippah County Sheriff’s Department before lighting any outdoor fire.
Several nearby counties remain under bans, according to the commission’s table:
Lee County: through Nov. 12
Lafayette County: through Nov. 6
Tate County: through Oct. 31
Itawamba County: through Oct. 21
Fire Danger Statement for Monday Afternoon
The weather service’s Fire Danger Statement runs from noon to 7 p.m. Monday. Forecasters said conditions “will support the spread of wildfires.” They expect:
Relative humidity falling to between 20 and 30 percent
Northeast winds up to 10 mph
10-hour fuel moisture dropping to around 10 percent
The weather service discourages outdoor burning and any activity involving open sparks or flames while the statement is in effect, and asks people to report any wildfire to local law enforcement right away.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, released Oct. 15, shows all of Tippah County in at least moderate drought (D1), with about 46 percent of the county in severe drought (D2). About 56 percent of Benton County is in severe drought.
Dry, Warmer Week Ahead in Ripley
In its Monday morning forecast discussion, NWS Memphis said there has been little meaningful rain across the region in the past month and that “no moisture return” is on the horizon. High pressure is expected to bring large swings between cool mornings and warm afternoons, with highs climbing above normal and no rain in the forecast through the weekend. Forecasters said fire danger will likely stay a concern all week.
The forecast for the Ripley area calls for:
Monday: Sunny, high near 73
Monday night: Mostly clear, low around 45
Tuesday: Sunny, high near 77; low around 46
Wednesday: Sunny, high near 78; low around 47
Thursday: Sunny, high near 79; low around 48
If You Plan to Burn
With fuels this dry, a small fire can get away quickly even without a ban in place. Basic precautions include:
Check with county officials first to confirm burning is allowed.
Avoid burning during the afternoon, when humidity is lowest.
Keep a water hose and tools on hand, and never leave a fire unattended.
Clear dry grass and leaves away from burn piles and barrels.
Make sure fires and ashes are completely out before you leave.
Dispose of cigarettes and matches properly, and call 911 to report smoke or fire.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
