NATCHEZ — Adams County is under a burn ban, effective Wednesday.

“At the request of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, the Mississippi Forestry Commission approved a county-wide burn ban, effective immediately,” said MFC state forester Russell Bozeman. “September and October are typically considered the fall wildfire season in Mississippi.”

The Adams County Emergency Management Office through the Adams County Board of Supervisors, requested the burn ban through Oct. 19, said Robert Bradford, Adams County Emergency Management director.

“The current weather conditions is the driving force behind this decision,” Bradford said. “The use of charcoal grills and fire pits can be used under constant supervision only.”

The only exempted burning, Bradford said, would be agriculture and field burns conducted by certified burn managers through the MFC, county fire services and commercial contractors with heavy equipment that meet Department of Environmental Quality regulations.

“It is pivotal that we adhere to the current burn ban for the safety of Adams County residents and the first responders,” Bradford said. “The ban will be lifted when weather conditions are suitable for burning outside are suitable for burning outside debris/grass.”

The MFC approved the Adams County burn ban due to the increase in wildfire activity, MFC officials said, elevated drought conditions, dry vegetation and forecasted weather patterns. The current seven-day forecast does not predict significant rainfall large enough to pull the state out of the current drought.

“Over the past week, MFC wildland firefighters have responded to 56 wildfires across the state that have burned approximately 1,150 acres and threatened 79 structures,” Bozeman said. “Because of the lack of rainfall the state has seen over the past month and the current forecast, the threat of wildfire is elevated across the state.”