MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - The Memphis Fire Department issued a ban on all open burning in the city of Memphis.
It may seem strange with all the rain we've had lately but a dry summer means brush and trees are turning brown and brittle sooner than normal.
It is a recipe for fire danger that Mid-South firefighters hope we can avoid.
Shelby County firefighter say brush fires are more difficult to fight than any structure fire.
"It wasn't even two weeks ago when we had a grass fire in the back of a home, ended up with a structure fire and even ended up with a minor injury to a firefighter," said Brent Perkins, Shelby County Fire Department.
Despite the September rainfall, conditions remain ripe for fires, prompting a burn ban in Memphis, unincorporated areas of Shelby County, and Lakeland until further notice.
The ban will mostly affect the commercial construction business but also prohibits the burning of leaves and debris and outdoor fire pits.
Perkins says most people underestimate how quickly a fire can get out of control.
"After it's been burning for 7 minutes every minute after that it's going to double in size," he explained.
Firefighters say as long as weather conditions increase the risk of feeding fires, they will err on the side of caution and ban burning.
The burn ban for Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County in effect until further notice.
It does not prohibit you from using a barbecue grill. And if you're planning a cookout in the near future, you might want to know how the weather will factor in.
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Memphis Fire Department issued a ban on all open burning in the city of Memphis.
Brent Perkins with the Shelby County Fire Department say brush fires are more difficult to fight than any structure fire.
Despite the September rainfall, conditions remain ripe for fires, prompting the burn ban.
