By Rupert Howell
Panola County is one of 23 Mississippi counties now under a burn ban following Monday’s request by Panola County Emergency Management Director Daniel Cole to county supervisors and Tuesday’s approval by the State Forestry Commission.

Also on Tuesday, Batesville aldermen adopted a citywide burn ban, responding to a recommendation from Fire Chief Tim Taylor and Sardis Fire Chief Chuck Moore reported Wednesday the City of Sardis is now under a burn ban also.

Cole said agricultural and fires by prescribed burn managers are exempted from the ban, but other outdoor fires are banned.

Cole explained the necessity for the ban comes with extremely dry conditions and Monday’s decision will be reviewed on November 2 when supervisors meet in Sardis when he will either ask for the ban’s extension or to let it expire.

Taylor said the Batesville Fire Department would issue no burn permits during the ban. If firemen detect outdoor burning, they will contact the Batesville Police Department for enforcement, the fire chief said.

Any person who knowingly and willfully violates a burning ban is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined not less than $100 and not more than $500.

Tallahatchie County is also under a ban and other neighboring counties may soon join the ban should dry conditions continue.