DeSoto County is sending out a warning that’s hard to ignore: with a staggering 52 fires reported in just 18 days, it’s time for residents to put down the lighter and heed the burn ban. The county is grappling with extreme drought conditions, the second-worst drought situation on record, prompting Fire Chief Chad Jorgensen to express grave concern for the community’s safety. With nearly 40 years of experience under his belt, Jorgensen has never seen anything like this, and he’s urging everyone to take the drought seriously.
Even the smallest spark could lead to disaster since everything is primed and ready to ignite in these dry conditions. To make matters worse, the area has seen less than 3 inches of rain since November 1, with the dry season still stretching ahead. Jorgensen emphasizes that people aren’t fully grasping the gravity of the situation, and now is not the time for risky behavior like burning trash or having bonfires.
As the county battles these fires, it’s a good reminder of nature’s power, and it’s something we all need to pay attention to. Stay safe out there; let’s save the campfire stories for another day, when the flames aren’t a fire hazard!