BROOKHAVEN — Wildfire risk continues in Lincoln County. The National Weather Service warns wildfire danger will continue from Tuesday to Wednesday.

No grass fires or wildfires were reported in Lincoln County Monday. 

Fires could easily escape control due to dry fuel, low humidity and wind are all contributing to this increased risk of wildfire danger. Extra caution is advised for anyone burning in the open in Lincoln County. 

As of Monday, the county is not under a burn ban at this time. Citizens can still help lower the risk of wildfires spreading by securing trailer chains and disposing of cigarette butts properly and not on the ground. Late morning to afternoon is the timing for wildfire risk to be at its highest due to low humidity. 

Wednesday is forecast to have gusts up to 25 mph which could help fires escape control.

At this time, there are no chances of rain in the forecast through next Monday. National Drought Monitor Center reports 98.5 percent of Lincoln County is under abnormally dry conditions, the early stages of drought. Long term forecasts looking to a month and the fall season do not forecast drought conditions to persist although it could change.

According to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, most of Lincoln County is now over 600 on the KBDI scale, meaning it would take 6 inches of rain to return soil moisture content back to normal levels. KBDI is a good indicator of fire behavior and drought conditions and the 600 to 700 KBDI figures is “Often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence. Intense, deep burning fires with significant downwind spotting can be expected. Live fuels can also be expected to burn actively at these levels,” the United States Forest Service states.

Parts of Western Lincoln County and all of Franklin County are forecast to be at moderate fire danger levels today. It may be a matter of time before all of Lincoln County is elevated to a moderate fire danger. Monday, Lincoln County was labeled as a low fire danger.

Nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by human error and thus are preventable. Only you can prevent wildfires.