Yes, it has rained some. No, it’s not yet safe to burn.

Rain fell on some parts of Lincoln County and surrounding areas across the weekend, providing moisture to dead and dying vegetation. But it is not yet enough precipitation to justify lifting the burn ban.

“Even though some areas of the county are receiving some much-needed rain, the burn ban remains in effect,” Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Chris Reid said. “Please do not do any type of burning.”
Several grass and structure fires over the previous couple of weeks have punctuated the need to avoid burning. The City of Brookhaven and Lincoln County both issued burn bans in early August, set to expire no earlier than the first week of September.

One week ago, Gov. Tate Reeves extended the burn ban from the approximate dozen counties that had already issued them to a total of 43 counties. Reeves also set the length of the ban as “indefinite.”

A burn ban means no outdoor burning of any kind. Under state law, anyone caught burning during a burn ban may be fined up to $500. Individuals are also responsible for any damage caused by the flame or smoke from a fire they set, according to the Mississippi Forestry Commission.