Prescribed fire scheduled at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuse

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn today, 4/16/24, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge.

The potential burn site consists of 409 acres located North of I-10 and West of Old Fort Bayou Rd in Ocean Springs, MS.

Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savanna, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs.

Burning to remove hazardous fuels also creates a safer environment for the public living in rural areas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable for a successful burn and a burn permit has been issued from the State of Mississippi.

Personnel assisting with the burn is highly trained in wildland fire and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge.

The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.