Thursday rain had little effect

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
April 9, 2004
Lauderdale County residents are urged to heed a county-wide burn ban that went into effect this week.
Clarence Butler, Lauderdale County fire coordinator, said people who burn in spite of the ban could be fined $500. The ban was approved Monday by the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors.
Ed Brown, area forester with the Mississippi Forestry Commission, said the two-week burn ban will be re-evaluated April 19.
Even though thunderstorms passed through Lauderdale County on Thursday morning, Brown said it wasn't enough to make much of a difference.
Brown, who has been with the forestry commission for 19 years, said this March was one of the driest he has ever seen.
Brown said about 95 percent of the fires originated from people burning debris at their homes.