BROOKHAVEN — Several grass fires have been extinguished by Lincoln County volunteer fire departments this week with the most recent one coming Friday afternoon. Hog Chain and New Sight Volunteer Fire Department put out a grass fire on Nola Road after a burn got out of control.

Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Reid said even though the area received significant rainfall in January, vegetation is still dead and people should burn with caution. More rain is expected this weekend but the area is considered to be abnormally dry by the National Drought Monitor Center.

“We are having grass fires from fires getting out of control,” Reid said. “If you are gong to burn it needs to be monitored and someone needs to be with it at all times.”

A good rule of them when burning is to make sure the fire is protected from gusts of wind and some sort of burn break separates the fire from dead vegetation which could ignite. Bare mineral soil is good at keeping fire contained and should be as wide as the height of whatever you are burning. Check the weather before you burn debris and make sure the wind speeds are low.

Remember only you can prevent wildfires.