September 3, 2024 – Hopkins County Fire Marshal’s office has been monitoring fire weather, fire activity, and drought conditions in determining the need for a Burn Ban. At this time, fire weather has been favorable for grassfires and there has been a slight uptick of activity. However, none of this is uncommon for this time of year as well as no reports of fires resistant to control or reports of active to extreme fire behavior with high rates of spread with favorable growth potential in the county.
Currently the Fire Marshal’s office is monitoring the fire weather, KBDI, Energy Release Component, Burning Index, Fire Danger Rating, as well as live and dead fuel moisture. The numbers observed and forecasted do not warrant a Burn Ban at this time.
Most of these indices are trending near or below seasonal averages with the increase of surface moisture that does not support high drying of surface fuels. This indicates little to no potential to wildfires with high resistance to control in the near forecast.
As fire activity will continue, key Size-Up descriptions will help in determining future Burn Bans with any uptick in activity. The Hopkins County Fire Marshal’s office is continually monitoring for changes in fire conditions.
The Fire Marshal’s office is asking citizens to self-monitor burning in the un-incorporated areas of the county. They would like to remind citizens that if property damage to neighboring properties occurs, the property owner of fire origin is liable for all damages. It is better to call 911 earlier rather than later.
