Mississippi Forest Commission sets statewide wildland fire alert
Published 1:57 pm Tuesday, October 18, 2022
- Photo by Brett Campbell / A fire burning just south of Hwy. 84 and east of I-55 in 2021 caused concern for passing motorists, but was confirmed by Brookhaven Fire Department as a controlled burn.
JACKSON — Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks issued a burn ban for local state parks as conditions are ripe for fire danger. Here are a list of local state parks under the band as Mississippi’s Forestry Commission issued a state wide wildfire alert.
- Percy Quin State Park – Pike County – Expires 11/1/2022
- Tombigbee State Park – Lee County – Expires 11/9/2022
- Trace State Park – Pontotoc County – Expires 11/1/2022
- LeRoy Percy State Park – Washington County – Expires 10/31/2022
- Lake Lincoln State Park – Lincoln County – Expires 10/31/2022
Lincoln County is already under a burn ban but the Mississippi Forestry Commission issued a state wide wild fire alert Monday.
Mississippi has experienced little to no rainfall over the last few weeks. As a result, the MFC has responded to 227 wildfires, with 3032 acres burned since September 15, 2022. These conditions, combined with the high winds and low humidity expected from the approaching dry cold fronts, create an increased risk for devastating wildland fires.
Everyone is asked to be mindful of ignition sources and potential dangerous activities that could spark a fire.
When it is safe to burn again, here are a list of ways to stay fire safe.
• Check with local authorities to make sure there are no local restrictions on burning currently in place
• Do not burn on windy days
• Stay abreast of changing weather conditions
• Establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil at least five feet wide around your fire
• Keep fire containment equipment on hand during the fire (e.g., rake, shovel, water)
• Stay with the fire until it is completely out.
If you spot a wildfire, please report it immediately by dialing 911, or you can also contact MFC Dispatch at 1-833-MFC-FIRE (1-833-632-3473).