Fish & Wildlife plan prescribed burn today at Sandhill Crane Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will conduct a prescribed burn today, March 7, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge.

The potential burn site represents 430 acres located North of Interstate 10 and West of Gautier Vancleave Road in Gautier.

Prescribed fires are an essential part of refuge management to restore the native wet pine savannah, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and Dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels is also part of the mission.

Recent rains have made burning much safer and meteorological conditions favor smoke dispersal today. These conditions allow a burn permit to be issued from the state.

The refuge staff is highly trained in fire operations and maintains fire breaks around the Wildlife Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that  equipment & personnel will be in the area.

There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.