As leaves begin to fall this autumn, the Lafayette County Fire Department is encouraging residents to refrain from burning foliage.

Mississippi grass fires have caused 25 counties to issue burn bans, and Gov. Phil Bryant to consider issuing one statewide. The Lafayette County Fire Department has reported seven grass fires over the last two weeks and is awaiting Bryant’s decision on the statewide ban.

“The governor is reviewing a statewide burn ban and we’re waiting to hear back,” Fire Coordinator Wes Anderson said. “If he doesn’t sign it, we’ll ask the Lafayette County Supervisors to approve it at their next meeting…

“Having dry grass with a fire and a little bit of wind is almost like pouring gas on it. Homes and fences are being put in danger. Fires like this get big pretty quick.”

Anderson said dry and windy conditions could cause more fires to ignite, and is encouraging residents to dispose of fall foliage by raking leaves and putting them in trash bags for waste management to pick up until a ban can be put into place.

The fire department also is asking residents to call them if they see a fire ignite so they can make the final decision on whether or not it is controlled.

The Details

According to the Mississippi Forestry Commission, 25 counties have issued burn bans that are in effect now. Information was gathered from the forestry website Oct. 13.

County Date Issued Date Expires

Madison 07-20-2015 10-24-2015

Hinds 07-21-2015 11-15-2015

Adams 08-03-2015 10-31-2015

Copiah 08-03-2015 Until further notice

Franklin 08-03-2015 Until further notice

Lincoln 09-08-2015 11-02-2015

Rankin 09-03-2015 10-30-2015

Smith 09-08-2015 11-08-2015

Jefferson Davis 09-08-2015 10-19-2015

Simpson 09-14-2015 10-16-2015

Carroll 09-18-2015 10-18-2015

Lawrence 09-21-2015 10-26-2015

Montgomery 09-21-2015 10-21-2015

Lauderdale 09-25-2015 Until further notice

Pike 10-05-2015 10-30-2015

Panola 10-05-2015 11-02-2015

Amite 10-05-2015 10-26-2015

Washington 10-05-2015 Until further notice

Tallahatchie 10-05-2015 Until further notice

Walthall 10-05-2015 10-31-2015

Holmes 10-06-2015 Until further notice

Grenada 10-08-2015 11-08-2015

Covington 10-09-2015 10-31-2015

Marion 10-12-2015 10-31-2015

Warren 10-12-2015 11-12-2015