As cold fronts glide through Starkville, dryer conditions will increase the risk for dangerous fires.
Meteorologist at the National Weather Service forecast office in Jackson David Cox said the increase of fire danger in Mississippi’s counties is because of the low humidity percentage accompanied by high winds.
Cox said some counties in the state are experiencing humidity rates as low as 20 percent with an average of 25 to 35 percent. When a cold front moves through, Cox said it creates a pressure gradient.
“In the wake of the cold front there is a strong change in pressure and that causes the wind to be pretty gusty,” Cox said. “Fires can spread pretty rapidly when it’s dry and when the winds are pretty strong.”
Although conditions are not extreme in Oktibbeha County, Cox said the area is mainly surrounded by timber and woodlands. He said it’s a type of environment where a fire could spread rapidly.
“Don’t leave fires unattended,” Cox said. “It might be a small fire but it could turn into something very big very quick.”
Cox said this time of the year tends to be some of the dryer parts of the season because of the low humidity. He said the moisture tends to pick back up around the end of November and the start of December.
Starkville Fire Department Chief Charles Yarborough said it is important for residents to never leave burn piles and grills unattended and to never cast cigarette butts into the woods.
For burn piles, Yarborough said to make sure a water hose can reach all the way out to the fire. He said when putting out the fire to be sure it is completely out before leaving.
“If people don’t completely put it out then it could start back up,” Yarborough said.
A few things Yarborough said residents overlook is to not allow their children to play with matches. He said another common occurrence is people do not completely extinguish the charcoal after they grill, so when dumping the remnants, the area could ignite.
“As dry as as it is right now, a fire can move really quick and you won’t be able to get control of it,” Yarborough said.