DESOTO COUNTY, MS (abc24.com) - The drought prompted dozens of burn bans which remain across the Mid-South. They'll stay that way until we get significant rain. In the meantime, DeSoto County emergency workers say there's something everyone can do to prevent grass fires.
The county is dealing with multiple fires every day. Several start along the side of the road from sparks or cigarettes. The Emergency Management Agency says one of the best ways people can help is to crack down on littering.
"I ask people to use due diligence," says EMA director Bobby Storey. In this dangerous heat, he's also asking for something else: stop littering. "Littering is a big issue in DeSoto County."
"They need to crack down on it. I've seen a lot of trash lying on the side of the roads," says Sandy Chance.
"Good idea," says Brad Burrow. "Not just so much for fires. Litter builds up, it all builds up."
Trash is never good, but in this heat litter can cause more problems than normal.
"People need to understand when you throw a sack out or a Styrofoam cup out on side of the interstate you're just adding to the fuel load," Storey says.
Not only is it an eyesore but "when it catches on fire and gets to papers and stuff you've thrown out, it just makes our jobs harder," Storey says, because firefighters deal with fires differently depending on what's burning.
"It makes it harder on us to have to fight the different stuff thrown out on side of the road."
In DeSoto County any person caught littering can be fined $100 or more depending on the offense. Violating a burn ban carries a $100 to $500 fine.
