Buccaneer State Park remains closed after marsh fire burns in Waveland

Buccaneer State Park remained closed today after a marsh fire that started Monday forced an evacuation of the campground in Waveland.

Park Ranger Stu Rayburn said the fire started in Mud Bayou, a marshy area on the edge of the state park.

The smoke from the fire prompted the evacuation out of an abundance of caution for their guests, Rayburn said.

The area most affected was the nature trail.

Officials with Mississippi State Parks said a gazebo on the nature trail was destroyed but no other structures were damaged.

Because of heavy smoke in the area, the decision was made to keep the area closed today, but the state plans to re-open Buccaneer later this week.

Rayburn said the Forestry Commission came in and performed a back burn to keep the fire from moving farther into the state park.

The fire was extinguished last night, but there is still a lot of smoke and some areas still smoldering.

Waveland Fire Chief Tommy Carver Jr. said the cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire marshal.

He also said the Forestry Commission was out Tuesday cutting fire lines and performing back burns to make sure the fire stays contained.