NATCHEZ — Early this morning while most of the city was still in bundled in blankets, an artic air mass moved into Natchez.

While temperatures today aren’t scheduled to get above 40 degrees, it’s the air mass that’s going send the mercury dropping tonight.

National Weather Service intern meteorologist Dave Hamrick said tonight will likely be one of the coldest nights of the year.

Hamrick said tonight’s light winds coupled with the artic air mass will keep temperatures in the upper teens and low 20s.

“It’s going to be a cold one, there’s no doubt about it,” Hamrick said.

Adams County Emergency Management Director Stan Owens said when temperatures dip as low as they’re expected to tonight, special precautions must be taken.

Owens said those who will be outside for prolonged periods of time should dress in multiple layers of clothing to prevent hypothermia.

Tonight is also the night to bring in any moveable plants and all pets, Owens said.

“It’s going to be way too cold for them tonight,” Owens said.

But pets and plants aren’t the only ones that will need special care tonight.

Owens said those with elderly or disabled family members and neighbors should keep close watch over them.

“Make sure they’ll be warm enough,” he said.

Owens also said exposed pipes should be wrapped with insulation to prevent cracking.

But it’s how people keep themselves warm through the coldest nights that concerns the Natchez Fire Department.

NFD Capt. Aaron Wesley said it’s common to see more house fires during the coldest times of the year because people don’t take the necessary precautions when heating their homes.

“You have to be careful,” Wesley said.

Wesley said one of the major sources for house fires comes with the use of electric heaters.

But it’s not the heater that creates the fire hazard.

Wesley said it’s common for people to run the heaters all through the night and overwork the electrical system.

After the heater has run for several hours, it’s possible for a fire to start in the breaker-box or at the electrical outlet, Wesley said.

Wesley said because electric heaters are affordable and cost less to operate than many gas furnaces, they’re very popular.

Wesley said avoiding a fire with an electric heater is simple.

“Do not run the heater all night long,” he said.

Those with gas heaters and fireplaces must also be cautious.

Wesley said homes with gas heaters, especially older ones, should have working carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house.

Residents using wood-burning stoves or fireplaces should clean the chimney before use to remove any creosote deposits that have built up over time.

Wesley said accumulations of creosote can combust and start a fire inside the chimney and then spread to the rest of the house.

“And of course everyone needs smoke detectors in their home,” Wesley said.