Burn bans: Staying on alert even when they come to an end

"A fire can spread very quickly."

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Recently in Monroe County, an elderly woman died after a fire got out of control at her home on Booker T. Road near Aberdeen. Coroner Alan Gurley said the woman died of smoke inhalation.

“A fire can spread very quickly,” said the Monroe County Fire Coordinator. “The first 30 seconds are crucial. It can go from a controllable fire to uncontrollable in less than 30 seconds.”

Evan Adams is the Monroe County Fire Coordinator. He said even though burn bans may soon be expiring, you still need to be careful when burning and stay on high alert.

“Just because a burn ban has been lifted does not mean you should just run out and burn,” Adams said. “If you do have to burn, we ask that you be very mindful of the surroundings around your debris pile. Just make sure you stay with the fire. Do not leave the fire unattended; make sure it’s out before you go in for the evening.”

Adams said to call 911 immediately if the fire does get out of control to get the fire department coming that way.

“If you have a water hose, obviously use that to extinguish the fire to keep it from spreading anymore,” Adams said. “If the fire does look like it’s headed towards a structure, you want to try to notify the people that are in that structure if there is anybody so that they can evacuate.”

According to the Mississippi Forestry Commission, crews have responded to more than 1,400 wildfires since August.

All burn bans expire at midnight on the stated date of expiration. For these dates, you can visit the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s website at  mfc.ms.gov

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