By Billy Davis

A statewide burn ban that was lifted November 3, but had left Panola County still under the ban, now includes Panola after a local official intervened.

Panola and 16 other counties were set to remain under the ban after the Mississippi Forestry Commission recommended that Gov. Haley Barbour lift the ban for 66 others counties. 

“We had to request that it be lifted for Panola County. And we did that,” said Daniel Cole, director of Panola County EMA.

Cole said he informed the forestry commission that Panola County had enjoyed an average 2 ½ inches of rain Monday and Tuesday.

Panola County was under a countywide burn ban when Barbour, on October 6, announced the statewide ban on outdoor burning due to drought conditions.

The state Fire Commission formally recommended that Barbour lift the ban in a November 1 letter sent to the governor.

Among the other 16 counties, Yalobusha was the only neighbor included in the list.