Lincoln County supervisors today enacted a burn ban to minimizethe potential for wildfires during debris cleanup followingHurricane Katrina.

“The Mississippi Forestry Commission has asked counties south ofI-20 to enact a burn ban for at least the next 30 days,”Brookhaven-Lincoln County Civil Defense Director Clifford Galeysaid during this morning’s briefing.

Brookhaven already has an ordinance prohibiting burning in thecity, Galey said. With little moisture since the storm, supervisorsacknowledged the need for the ban.

“It’s dry,” said District Four Supervisor Doug Moak, who madethe motion for the ban. “The 4.5 inches of rain I got is gone.”

As property owners continue cleanup, state forestry officialssaid they have reports of 50 to 60 tons per acre of debris in somecounties. Normal levels range from three to five tons per acre.

“The risk of catastrophic wildfire outbreaks increases each day,especially with the low humidity and hot temperatures we arehaving,” interim State Forester Everard Baker said in a newsrelease. “The public does not realize the drying effect takingplace in the wooded areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina.”

Galey said volunteer firefighters responded to more than fivegrass fires Wednesday.

The burn ban was among the latest developments today asemergency personnel continue to respond to citizens’ needs in thearea.

Galey said 22 law enforcement officers have been assigned to thecity and county to use as needed. Also, 105 National Guard soldiershave been stationed at the armory.

“We’re utilizing some of their trucks to move ice and water todistribution points where people can get to it,” Galey said.

Ice, water and meals were being distributed today at the sportscomplex, Ruth and East Lincoln Volunteer Fire Stations and at LoydStar and Bogue Chitto schools.

Activities started at 10 a.m. everywhere except at Ruth, whichbegan at 11 a.m. Galey said the items will be distributed until atleast 5 p.m.

“It depends on the flow,” Galey said. “We’ll stay longer ifthere are people there to get it.”

Galey said volunteer firefighters and others are alsocirculating in the county to get ice, water and meals to homeswhere people have been unable to get out. He said crews were stillfinding people yesterday who had not received assistance.

Some Guard soldiers are also being assigned to local Red Crossshelters. Officials indicated their presence is primarily forsecurity.

“We’ve had no problems,” said Police Chief Pap Henderson, whoseofficers have been working in the shelters previously.

Late Tuesday, Lincoln County was added to the list of countieswhere a disaster has been declared.

Galey was expecting an individual assistance center to be set upin the county, but that had not been done yet. He said FEMAofficials will need a space large enough to accommodate theservices offered.

“As soon as we know that, we’ll get that set up and(information) out to the public,” Galey said.

For now, Galey said FEMA’s 1-800-621-3362 remains the “mainavenue” for citizens to begin applying for assistance. He said thenumber is often busy and asked for citizens’ patience.

“I feel like they will get more call centers up to handle thesecalls,” Galey said.