Attala County firefighters have faced a multitude of fires already this week, with incidents beginning around noon Monday and continuing into Tuesday, March 3.
Chief Cox asks that everyone refrain from burning for now. Grass and trees are dry and with the wind, conditions are not favorable for burning. Fires can quickly spread and threaten structures and property.
- Monday’s first call was on Attala Rd. 1154 for a woods fire with structures in danger. Firefighters arrived to find approximately a small portion of land burning behind a structure. Crews were able to quickly contain the fire.
- Around 1:30 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the McAdams area on Hwy 12 W for a reported woods fire at the request of MS Forestry Commission. What began as a controlled burn had gotten out of control and rapidly expanded to an estimated 100 acres. Trucks were staged at nearby structures in case the fire approached until forestry crews arrived. The fire ultimately burned approximately 200 acres before being contained using three dozers.
- Before clearing that scene, crews were dispatched back to Attala Rd. 1154 for a rekindle. Firefighters arrived to find a yard and utility shed mostly involved. The fire was extinguished and the area thoroughly soaked to prevent further flare-ups.
- While still working the Hwy 12 scene, units were dispatched to Hwy 14 near the Newport area for another reported woods fire with structures in danger. Upon arrival, crews determined it was a controlled burn being properly attended.
- Monday’s final fire call came in for Hwy 14 W, reporting structures and vehicles in danger. Firefighters initially had difficulty locating the blaze, as the caller nearly had it extinguished it prior to their arrival. Crews arrived and soaked the area to prevent a rekindle.
- On Tuesday, March 3 at around 12:45 p.m., the Attala County Fire Department was dispatched to a controlled burn that spread into the woods on Hwy 19 N near Springdale Rd. Crews initially contained it to about two acres, but shifting winds pushed the fire across lines multiple times. Forestry was requested, and the fire was ultimately contained at approximately 20 acres.
- Another woods fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. on Hwy 19 S near Dean Road. Units arrived to find a large fire threatening several structures. Attala County and Zama crews staged trucks near homes while Forestry responded with multiple dozers. The fire, estimated at several hundred acres, is now fully contained.
- Just before 2 p.m., a third fire was reported on Hwy 12 W near Attala Rd. 4171. Acreage is unknown, but Forestry responded and contained the blaze.
