JACKSON — The National Forests in Mississippi is advising visitors that national forest administered lands in the central and southern portions of the state are under the burn ban issued by Governor Tate Reeves on Friday, August 18, 2023. This includes the Bienville, Chickasawhay, Delta, De Soto, and Homochitto Ranger Districts.

During a burn ban, anything with an open flame that produces an ember is not allowed. In its proclamation, the State of Mississippi noted lack of rainfall and “extreme drought conditions, resulting in dry vegetation and an increased occurrence of wildfires.”

The partial burn ban includes the counties of Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Clarke, Copiah, Covington, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Issaquena, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, Newton, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Sharkey, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Walthall, Warren, Wayne, Wilkinson and Yazoo.

For the latest information about burn bans, visit the Mississippi Forestry Commission at Outdoor Burn Bans | Mississippi Forestry Commission (ms.gov).

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks announced burn bans at state fishing lakes and state parks in the central and southern regions of Mississippi last week.

Since Aug. 1, the Mississippi Forestry Commission has suppressed 344 wildfires which burned 15,200 acres. MFC’s firefighting efforts have saved 349 residences and 45 businesses statewide.