JACKSON — At the request of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Gov. Tate Reeves has signed a proclamation initiating a statewide burn ban, with no exemptions, effective immediately and until further notice.
Russell Bozeman, the state forester, said the COVID-19 pandemic has put significant strain on Mississippi’s emergency medical services, particularly the state’s rural volunteer fire departments.
“This statewide burn ban will remove some fire response strain from city and rural volunteer fire departments, remove smoke from the air relieving those with respiratory issues, and allow our responders to focus more on EMS-related services,” said Bozeman.
Since March 1, wildland firefighters have responded to 189 wildfires that have burned 4,259 acres across the state where 303 structures were threatened and saved. Wildland firefighters have also been assisted by volunteer fire departments on 557 additional outdoor fires.
“The current amount of wildfire is not normally a need for concern,” Bozeman said. “However, the smoke from these fires creates problems for anyone with respiratory issues and increases our firefighter’s chances of exposure when they respond.”
