Pearl River County’s Emergency Management director says a burn ban goes into effect on Monday and a severe weather siren test is planned is planned for Monday, Dec. 8.

Pearl River County Emergency Management Director Danny Manley said the recent lengthy spell of dry weather and high winds have prompted the burn ban.

The ban will be in effect until further notice.

A siren test will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 . Severe weather sirens are placed throughout the county at all schools and at Wal-Mart. Community members who hear the sirens at that time should not be alarmed, Manley said.

Schools are encouraged to run any emergency drills they wish at the time of the siren test.

Siren tests take place at 2 p.m. the second Monday of every other month. The first test scheduled for 2009 at 2 p.m. is Feb. 9.