DMR plan prescribed burn on Deer Island today

If you see smoke coming from Deer Island, don’t worry. It’s for a good cause.

Officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources are planning a prescribed burn on a portion of the Deer Island Preserve today.

The burn will begin between 10 a.m. and noon and is expected to last for the remainder of the day.

The burn will take place on a 39-acre section on the eastern end of Deer Island. This portion of the preserve will be closed to the public during the burn and MDMR officials encourage everyone to remain out of the area until Friday.

The prescribed fire will help remove heavy fuel loads from the ground, promote a healthy understory for wildlife habitat and function as a site prep aid for tree plantings and restoration efforts.

The fire will also aid with the removal of invasive species, such as Chinese Tallow, as well as increase access to infested areas for additional treatment.