BROOKHAVEN — Lincoln County received much needed rain last week but it was not enough to alleviate wildfire conditions. Sunday afternoon Loyd Star and New Sight Volunteer Fire Departments responded to a hayfield on fire.

The grassfire appeared to have started when fire spread from a brush pile being burned in a hole. Winds and low humidity were ideal for the fire to spread but thankfully it crept along and firefighters were able to knock it down. A couple of hay-bales were lost in the fire with no further damage to property.

Conditions remain ideal for wildfires to spread in Lincoln County According to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, Lincoln County is between 500 to 600 which is typical of late summer and early fall. Fuel loads burn more actively as they begin to dry out. Drought.Gov reports 73 percent of Lincoln County is considered abnormally dry and 27 percent of Lincoln County is in a moderate drought.

Lincoln County does have a low wildfire risk rating at this time. Winds are forecast to be between 5 to 10 mph over the next two days with relative humidity dropping to 45 percent today.

If you do decide to burn, check the weather conditions before and during your burn, establish a firebreak around your burn or fire and keep watch on the fire. Be sure to dispose of your cigarette butts properly and not on the ground and secure any trailer chains. One spark is all it takes to start a wildfire and remember nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by human error.