If Lincoln County’s burn ban wasn’t enough to convince folks to stop all outdoor burning, a weekend  of fires should be.

While just a few acres burned here Friday and Saturday, more than 400 acres burned in Pike County, according to the National Weather Service. A wildfire in Copiah County burned at least 300 acres, and another 50 acres burned in Franklin County.

While the loss of property in a wildfire is always a concern, the danger that firefighters face when battling these blazes is the biggest worry. That alone should dissuade locals from burning anything outdoors right now. Don’t put firefighters at risk by violating the ban.

Lincoln County’s ban remains in effect until Nov. 2. There are no exemptions from the ban — all types of outdoor burning are prohibited. Lawrence, Copiah and Franklin counties are also under a burn ban, though Franklin and Copiah have exemptions for certified burn managers and commercial contractors with heavy construction equipment.

Anyone who knowingly and willfully violates a burning ban is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined not less than $100 and not more than $500.

There are non-obvious ways to spark a wildfire. The heat from a vehicle’s catalytic converter — or any significant heat source — can start a grass fire that quickly spreads to nearby trees. Ashes from a barbecue grill can stay hot for several hours, and can light vegetation if dumped before being completely out. There’s also the obvious: burning cigarettes thrown on the ground.

We would do well to listen to Smokey Bear — all of us can do our part to prevent wildfires.