MSU joins local governments in observing burn bans, urging caution

Contact: Allison Matthews

STARKVILLE, Miss.—As the Magnolia State continues to see drought conditions, Mississippi State University is joining adjacent local governments in enforcing a burn ban through Nov. 16. Fifty-five of the state’s 82 counties currently have burn bans in effect.

MSU Vice President Sid Salter, who chairs the Special Events and Game Day Committee, said the university would observe the burn ban already in effect by Oktibbeha County and the City of Starkville, in coordination with the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

“Mississippi State wants to be responsible neighbors and support the county and city efforts to maintain maximum fire safety during this long drought,” said Salter. “We are confident that our Bulldog fans understand the need to go the extra mile to practice the utmost fire safety during tailgating. Specifically, we are concerned about how charcoal briquettes are handled after cooking. Charcoal should be fully extinguished with water and disposed of in metal containers, not thrown on the ground.”

The burn ban restricts outdoor burning of any kind and is enforced by local police and sheriff’s departments. Restrictions prohibit anything with an open flame that produces embers, including campfires, bonfires, fire pits, fire rings, burn barrels, debris burning and field burning.

Always let charcoal grill briquettes cool completely after use and douse in water before disposing of them in a metal container. Residual ash should be cold to the touch prior to disposal.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters.