MEADVILLE — A wildfire in Franklin County burned over 800 acres last week and is now under investigation. The United States Forestry Service first reported smoke showing around 11:10 a.m. Feb. 6 and reported a wildfire incident at 12:16 p.m. Feb. 6. 

Shaun Williamson, District Ranger for the Homochitto National Forest, stated the cause of the wildfire was an illegal start. USFS law enforcement officers are investigating the wildfire which started near Kings Ferry Road in Franklin County.  

USFS Mississippi burns on average 32,000 acres of the Homochitto National Forest each year to help manage habitat for wildlife and forest health. Natural wildfire events triggered by a lightning strike are usually counted towards the prescribed burn acreage. 

“Since it was an illegal start, we do not count that towards annual prescribed fire numbers,” Williamson said. 

The reported acreage of the wildfire was greater than the largest wildfire incident on the Homochitto National Forest in 2023, which was 400 acres, during an intense drought.

Readers can visit the USFS Mississippi website to see an interactive map showing prescribed fire blocks and when the burns will occur. A lot of planning goes into prescribed burning on the national forest. One reason the USFS Mississippi burns on the Homochitto is to restore longleaf pine stands and decrease the risk of a catastrophic wildfire. 

You can also follow USFS Mississippi on Facebook to stay up to date on prescribed burn plans and wildfire incidents.

Remember, nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by human error. Only you can prevent wildfires.