At the request and advice of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Gov. Phil Bryant has signed a proclamation initiating a statewide burn ban. The ban is effective immediately and remains in force until lifted.
The Mississippi Forestry Commission will continue to monitor conditions, and public updates on the burn ban will be issued as needed. The public is asked to refrain from outdoor burning until further notice.
Much of the state is experiencing significant drought conditions, and more than half of Mississippi counties have already issued bans in response to increasingly hazardous conditions.
The Mississippi Forestry Commission estimates that it has responded to more than 430 wildfires since Oct. 1. Those fires have consumed more than 7,000 acres and threatened hundreds of homes and buildings, destroying 23.
To report a wildfire, dial 911 or contact the Mississippi Forestry Commission Central Dispatch region in your area:
Northwest Dispatch: 1-877-226-5414
Northeast Dispatch: 1-800-681-8760
Southwest Dispatch: 1-888-823-3473
South Central Dispatch: 1-800-736-9115
Southeast Dispatch: 1-800-240-5161
For a list of counties included in each dispatch district and for a printable map of Mississippi Forestry Commission Central Dispatch Regions, visit http://www.mfc.ms.gov/wildfire-report.php
To learn more about wildfire prevention, visit http://www.mfc.ms.gov/.