NATCHEz &8212; Grass fires have become an unfriendly winter guest in the Miss-Lou.

Concordia Parish Fire District No. 2

Fireman Nolen Cothern said the department cleared at least two grass fires a day last week. Thursday saw its peak in Natchez with glistening fires burning dry forest grass along Liberty Road near the Franklin County line.

Increases in grass fires are expected with sparks of seasonal fireworks, but additional human error may also have an impact.

Natchez Fire Chief Paul Johnson estimated 30 grass fires in the last two months, which is a slight increase from previous years.

&8220;There&8217;s more people here in Natchez that&8217;s one of the reasons it went up,&8221; Johnson said.

Drivers throwing cigarette butts out the window and burning trash during strong winds are common in igniting

grass fires, Cothern said.

&8220;Burning trash while the wind&8217;s blowing so hard is not too smart,&8221; Cothern said, wind can blow discreet sparks into the grass that can cause a

fire.

Jim Phillips, Mississippi Forestry Commission Southwest Mississippi district area forester, said it took four hours to put out Thursday&8217;s forest fire along Liberty Road, 60 acres were reported damaged from the fire. The incident is currently under investigation. Phillips said there&8217;s

been a steady appearance of forest fires this winter in the southern part of the state.

&8220;It&8217;s so dry and people just aren&8217;t aware,&8221;

Cothern said.

Within the Vidalia and Natchez city limits a resident must have a burning permit from a local fire department before starting a fire. The department analyzes weather conditions and safety of the location and time to either permit or decline a fire. A citation will be issued if the regulation is ignored.

Johnson said fires are prevalent in the county where there are no burning permits.

Cothern said he would like to see a fire ban for the parish due to the overwhelming grass fire cases.

Phillips advised residents who do burn items, like leaves near their homes, to burn the items a few feet away from the yard and watch the flame until it&8217;s completely faded.

But he said the safest way to prevent a grass fire is to call their local fire department to analyze the situation.