Live fire restrictions & Red Flag Warnings · National Weather Service
🔴 Red Flag Warning
Critical fire weather — extreme danger, high winds, low humidity. Burning is typically banned statewide and by county.
🟠 Fire Weather Watch
Dangerous conditions developing within 24–72 hrs. Monitor for upgrade to Red Flag Warning and imminent restrictions.
⚠️ County bans may differ
Mississippi county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking Mississippi fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official Mississippi source:
Mississippi Forestry CommissionOutdoor burn bansOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when Mississippi has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in Mississippi are issued separately from state-level restrictions — a county can be under a burn ban even when the rest of the state is not. County commissioners, the county fire marshal, or the county judge typically issue these orders, and they are not reflected in NWS alerts shown on the map above.
Mississippi Forestry Commission publishes current burning bans and county-level restrictions.
Mississippi Burning Restrictions — MS Forestry CommissionView county map ↗Federal land managers use a tiered system that escalates as fire danger increases. Stage restrictions apply only to the land they are issued for — your county may have a separate burn ban on private land.
Open burning prohibited. Campfires may still be allowed in designated fire rings at developed campgrounds. Portable gas and pressurized-liquid stoves are typically allowed in cleared areas.
All open fires prohibited — including campfires in developed campgrounds. Gas stoves may be allowed in cleared areas. Chainsaw use and motorized off-road vehicles restricted.
Maximum restriction before full closure. All fires may be prohibited. Motorized vehicle use off designated roads, shooting, and spark-producing tools are typically banned.
State or county-level complete ban on all open burning — campfires, burn barrels, brush and agricultural burning. Gas and propane grills for cooking are usually still allowed.
Area is fully closed — no public access or fire-related activity of any kind is permitted.
Typically equivalent to Stage 1. Open burning prohibited; campfires in developed campgrounds may still be allowed. Common on BLM land in NV, OR, and ID.
Agency-specific restriction with unique terms. Always read the specific order from the issuing land management office — scope varies significantly.
Oregon ODF Industrial Fire Precaution Level — applies to industrial operations (logging, equipment) on ODF-protected state and private forestland. IFPL I is the lowest level; IFPL IV is the most restrictive. Separate from USFS campfire restrictions.
Restriction scope and exact prohibitions vary by agency and order. Always confirm with the issuing land management office or visit the official source linked above.
The Mississippi Forestry Commission issues burn permits specifically for forestry and agriculture-related burning. Permits are obtained online via the MFC's ArcGIS Survey123 form. Day permits become available between 6-7 AM daily; night permits become available around 3-4 PM. Residential yard debris and land-clearing burns fall outside MFC jurisdiction and are regulated by local ordinances and MDEQ guidelines.
Get Mississippi burning permit ↗Or call the Mississippi forestry hotline: (601) 359-1386
Mississippi experiences two distinct fire seasons: the primary season runs January through March when dormant vegetation dries before spring green-up, and a secondary season occurs in October through November following first frost when fallen leaf litter accumulates on the forest floor. March historically has the highest wildfire occurrence rate, driven by low humidity, strong south winds, and the transition from dry winter conditions. The state's abundant pine forests in the south and hardwood blends in the north create significant fuel loads.
Statewide or regional burn bans and open-burning suspensions on state and private land.
County-wide burn bans — the level that most often affects homeowners and is easy to miss.
Stage 1–3 fire restrictions and closures on national forests, parks, and other federal land.
Municipal open-burning rules, fireworks bans, and local red-flag restrictions.
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The live map and status strip above show active Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches from the National Weather Service for Mississippi. For the legally binding answer, check the official Mississippi source: Mississippi Forestry Commission at https://www.mfc.ms.gov/burning-info/burn-bans/. Also confirm with your county — a county burn ban can be in effect even when no statewide restriction exists.
During an active burn ban, Mississippi prohibits: All outdoor burning of any kind during a declared burn ban, with no exceptions; Campfires, bonfires, fire pits, and fire rings; Burn barrels and debris burning; Field burning and agricultural open burning; Any open flame that produces embers capable of travel; Prescribed burns not exempt by the specific ban order; Recreational fires and backyard fires. Typically still allowed: Propane and natural gas grills; Propane or gas heaters used indoors or in enclosed areas; Charcoal grills when used with proper precautions, away from combustibles, and never unattended; Certified burn managers, county fire services, commercial contractors with heavy equipment, and agricultural operations if specifically exempted by the ban order. Always verify the specific order with Mississippi Forestry Commission — prohibited activities can vary by jurisdiction and restriction level.
Gas and propane grills used for cooking on private residential property are typically allowed during a Mississippi burn ban. Charcoal grills may be permitted in calm conditions but check the specific order. Wood-fired grills, outdoor fire pits, and campfires are usually prohibited. Always verify with Mississippi Forestry Commission before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in Mississippi independently: Mississippi Forestry Commission for statewide or regional orders; County Board of Supervisors (requests bans, which the Mississippi Forestry Commission approves); local sheriff's departments enforce burn bans for county-wide bans that affect most homeowners; federal land managers (U.S. Forest Service, BLM, NPS) for Stage 1–3 restrictions on federal land; and cities or local fire districts for additional local rules. A county burn ban can be active even with no statewide restriction — always check both.
Burn bans in Mississippi have no fixed duration — they are issued when fire danger is high and lifted when conditions improve, which can happen overnight or persist for weeks during drought. Red Flag Warnings from the NWS typically last 24–48 hours. State and county burn bans are lifted separately. Check the issuing agency daily during dry, windy conditions.
Mississippi experiences two distinct fire seasons: the primary season runs January through March when dormant vegetation dries before spring green-up, and a secondary season occurs in October through November following first frost when fallen leaf litter accumulates on the forest floor. March historically has the highest wildfire occurrence rate, driven by low humidity, strong south winds, and the transition from dry winter conditions. The state's abundant pine forests in the south and hardwood blends in the north create significant fuel loads.
The Mississippi Forestry Commission issues burn permits specifically for forestry and agriculture-related burning. Permits are obtained online via the MFC's ArcGIS Survey123 form. Day permits become available between 6-7 AM daily; night permits become available around 3-4 PM. Residential yard debris and land-clearing burns fall outside MFC jurisdiction and are regulated by local ordinances and MDEQ guidelines.
Violating a Mississippi burn ban can result in: Knowingly violating a burn ban: misdemeanor with a fine of $100 to $500 (Mississippi Code 49-19-351); Violations of the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code: misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 (Mississippi Code 45-11-111); Cost of fire suppression may be charged to the responsible party; Civil liability for property damage caused by escaped fires; Arson charges possible for intentional fire-setting (felony under Mississippi Code 97-17).
Sign up for free FireRisk.ai fire alerts below — we'll notify you when the NWS issues a Red Flag Warning for your area of Mississippi. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor Mississippi Forestry Commission at https://www.mfc.ms.gov/burning-info/burn-bans/ for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official Mississippi agency sources. Burn ban status changes daily — always confirm with the official source and your county before any outdoor burning. This page is for awareness only and is not an official or legal notice. For fire emergencies call 911.
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