BROOKHAVEN — No wildfires were reported Thursday in Lincoln County. Dry vegetative conditions, low humidity and breezy winds are ripe for fire to get out of control.

The National Weather Service warned of increasing fire danger Wednesday and the warning continues Friday. Extra caution is advised if you do attempt to burn in the open. Be sure to check weather conditions before and during a burn. Establish a fire break of bare mineral dirt around your fire to keep fire contained. It is ideal to have a fire break to be as wide as your tallest fuel.

Please remember to heed local burn bans. Adams and Winston Counties are the only counties to issue burn bans so far in August 2024. NWS Jackson reminds drivers to secure trailer chains as they can spark on the roadway and start grass fires. Remember to dispose of cigarettes properly and not on the ground.

Drought.Gov reports 100 percent of Lincoln County is still under abnormally dry conditions which is the first stages of drought development. Conditions are not as bad as last year but it may not take long for drought conditions to worsen. NWS Jackson advises heat stress conditions will increase next week.

Forecasts predict temperatures to reach the mid to high 90s next week with heat indices reaching 105. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to have highs of 95 degrees in Brookhaven.

At this time, the National Hurricane Center does not expect tropical cyclone activity in the next seven days. The Daily Leader will continue to monitor activity in the gulf, drought and wildfire conditions in southwest Mississippi.