Leflore County soon will have an ordinance that says how and when farmers may burn fields, such as those with stubble leftover from harvest.
The new county law, which will go into effect later this summer, makes it a misdemeanor with a fine of $100 to $500 to "knowingly and willfully" violate any part of the ordinance.
The Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Monday to adopt the ordinance, which was presented by Gary Fulgham, the county's fire coordinator.
"We just want to have some safety guidelines," Fulgham said. "We don't have anything right now to stop them from burning, really."
The ordinance will not govern to landowners who are burning debris such as yard trash, but state law that requires permission to burn applies to everyone, Fulgham said to the supervisors.
Board President Robert Moore, who represents District 2, asked if the ordinance being presented would allow burning by individuals.
"They are not supposed to," Fulgham replied.
The state Forestry Commission, with the state Department of Environmental quality, issues burning permits based on a daily fire weather forecast, according to the commission's Web site, www.mfc.state.ms.us.
Permits are required for any fires set for a recognized agricultural and/or forestry purpose, the commission says.
Fulgham has been pressing for county regulation of agricultural burning, especially since a wheat field fire close to Humphrey Highway caused problems in late May.
In October 2005, the Leflore County Sheriff's Department had reports of five traffic accidents related to a field fire near Money.
Sheriff Ricky Banks told supervisors Monday there have been several instances in which burning has caused problems for motorists.
Fulgham said the Forestry Commission had equipment that can predict when these problems might happen. "If it is going to lay on the ground, they won't let you burn," he said.
The board's attorney, Willie J. Perkins Sr., drew up the ordinance. He said notice must be made through newspaper advertisements. The law will go into effect 30 days after "the last publication in the newspaper."
The ordinance authorizes:
- The county fire coordinator to order that burning be stopped immediately whenever there is a health and safety risk.
The ordinance bans:
- Burning more than 200 acres of a field in one day.
The ordinance requires:
- A permit from the Forestry Commission
- Creating a fire lane at least 20 feet around the perimeter of any field or light pole prior to burning.
- That the landowner or representative monitor and keep the fire under control at all times.
