Volunteer firefighters essential to containing fires in Hancock County

Volunteer firefighters are working hard this summer to fight the brush fires in South Mississippi.

Excessive heat and drier than average conditions are responsible for a number of fires across the Gulf Coast this summer.

A special group of individuals are out fighting the fires at no cost to the community.

Hancock County Fire Marshal Brian Adams and Volunteer Fire Chief Deedra Burton say the fires have been a challenge, but the volunteers have been essential to containing the flames. Volunteer Fire Chief Burton said, “The increase of brush fires has increased 100 percent. We had a few last year, but this year, with it being so dry, they are more intense.”

Fire Marshal Brian Adams said, “The volunteers, they have their jobs that they have to work and then they volunteer their time. It’s very important to have them.”

The Department of Emergency Management tells News 25 the burn ban will stay in place as long as weather conditions remain dry.