Smoky skies blamed on controlled burn in Franklin County

Published 11:01 am Friday, March 4, 2011

Smoke that blanketed much of Warren County Thursday afternoon was blamed on a controlled burn 75 miles south in Franklin County.

The U.S. Forest Service on Thursday morning burned about 2,300 acres of the Homochitto National Forest, public affairs officer Mario Rossilli said.

He said the burn was set around 10 a.m. and fire officials began extinguishing it around 12:30 p.m. The fire was out by 2 p.m., he said, about two hours before the smoke was sighted in Warren County.

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The National Weather Service recorded afternoon wind speeds at 14 mph.

Controlled burns are fires that are planned, ignited and managed by professional fire managers.

“It is one of the most effective tools for restoring healthy ecosystems and meeting desired resource outcomes, while avoiding the environmental damage that can be caused by an unplanned wildfire,” Rossilli said.

The smoke cleared out of Warren County after about two hours.