Mississippi Fires

Daily Wildfire Report for Mississippi - August 10, 2026

Overview

Mississippi is experiencing an elevated fire risk driven by warm, dry conditions, an ongoing drying trend, and cured fuels across the state. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) has forecast above-normal significant wildland fire potential for the Lower Mississippi Valley throughout August. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), which measures soil moisture depletion, is registering above 600 in many parts of the state, indicating severely dry soil and vegetation that require substantial rainfall to return to normal moisture levels.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the past 72 hours, state and federal wildland firefighters have responded to multiple active fires across Mississippi. Satellite data indicates an unusually high number of fire alerts for this time of year compared to historical averages. The peak fire season for the region typically begins in early August, and agencies are actively suppressing new ignitions while monitoring contained fires.

Key Fires:

• Range 39 Fire: Located on federal land in Perry County, approximately 15 miles southeast of Hattiesburg. Started on August 5, 2026, it has burned approximately 1,700 acres. Fire behavior is currently minimal, burning primarily in a "southern rough" fuel type. It is currently 99% contained, managed by a Type 4 Incident Command under the U.S. Forest Service.
• Early Bird Fire: Located in Forrest County, this fire has burned 513 acres and is currently 95% contained. Firefighters continue to reinforce containment lines and patrol the area for remaining hotspots.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Due to the elevated fire risk and extremely dry conditions, the Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) has approved 18 county-wide burn bans across Regions 3 and 4. These bans prohibit all outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, fire pits, and debris burning. The MFC strongly discourages any outdoor burning statewide, as escaped debris burns are a leading cause of wildfires in the region.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: The ArkLaMiss region is experiencing very dry conditions with high temperatures. Rainfall has been exceptionally sparse over the past several weeks.
Forecasted Weather: A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect for much of the region, with the potential for Red Flag Warnings to be issued if conditions continue to worsen. Relative humidity values are expected to drop to critically low levels around 20 to 25 percent in the afternoons. Winds from the north are forecast at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. A dry cold front is anticipated to push through the region, reinforcing the dry and breezy conditions and creating an environment with explosive fire growth potential.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are strongly advised to verify if their county is under an active burn ban before initiating any outdoor fires. Avoid burning on windy days and never leave a fire unattended. Under current conditions, a single spark from outdoor equipment, a vehicle's catalytic converter, or a discarded ember can easily ignite dry grass or brush.
Resource Allocation: Local and federal wildland firefighting personnel are actively monitoring the landscape and responding to new starts. Agencies are coordinating efforts to ensure adequate resources are available for pre-suppression and suppression activities across the state.

Resources

For up-to-date emergency information, residents can visit:
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC): www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC): www.mfc.ms.gov
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): www.msema.org

Stay informed and prepared by monitoring these resources regularly.