Rain this week was a welcome sight for Lincoln County firefighters. They’ve had to fight several grass fires that, in some cases, were the result of controlled burns that got away from landowners.

Lincoln County Fire Coordinator Clifford Galey and other Mississippi fire officials say good weather doesn’t necessarily mean burning conditions are right. Fires must be kept under control and those who want to burn debris must pay attention to the wind, which can scatter burning embers.

Fire officials also say a nearby water source is important and that several small piles are better than one large pile.