Forrest County Fire Services

10/19/2026

10/17/2026

🕯️ END OF WATCH — KAITLYN “KK” GALLAGHER
October 14, 2026

InciNotes joins the wildland fire community in mourning U.S. Forest Service firefighter Kaitlyn “KK” Gallagher, who was struck by a tree while responding to the Broken Creek Fire on Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest.

KK’s service reached beyond the fireline. She also gave her time to young people through coaching and church leadership.

Please keep her family, friends, coworkers, and everyone whose life she touched in your prayers. May they find strength in one another and comfort in the love surrounding them.

Honoring Her Service. Remembering Her Life.

— Will Spyrison, Retired Division Chief, Angeles National Forest; InciNotes Administrator

SAFETY MESSAGE: Honor our fallen through the care we take for one another. Maintain LCES, continually reassess overhead hazards, communicate changing conditions, and speak up when something threatens your crew’s safety.

10/17/2026

10/15/2026

For immediate release from the office of Forrest County Fire Coordinator/ Fire Chief Bo Murphy:

FORREST COUNTY BURN BAN IN EFFECT THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2026

Forrest County is officially under a countywide burn ban, effective immediately through midnight on October 31, 2026.

This initial timeframe will allow officials to monitor weather and environmental conditions and evaluate the need for an extension. If sufficient rainfall has not occurred by the end of this period, officials will reassess conditions in coordination with the Mississippi Forestry Commission to determine whether an extension is necessary.

🔥 WHAT IS PROHIBITED?

While the burn ban is in effect, outdoor burning is prohibited throughout Forrest County, including:

* Campfires and recreational fires
* Fire pits and bonfires
* Brush, debris, and yard waste burning
* Any other open-burning activities capable of producing embers

Propane and charcoal grills are permitted.

▶️EXCEPTIONS TO THE BURN BAN◀️

Exceptions are limited to Mississippi Forestry Commission-certified burn managers and commercial contractors who meet all applicable Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) requirements.

All qualifying burns must be conducted under the appropriate permit.

🚒 HELP US PROTECT FORREST COUNTY🚒

The Forrest County Fire Service urges all residents to comply with the burn ban and exercise extreme caution during these dry conditions.

Even a small outdoor fire can quickly spread, threatening homes, property, and lives.

Officials will continue monitoring conditions throughout the county and will provide updates regarding any changes or extensions to the burn ban.

We appreciate the cooperation of our residents as we work together to keep Forrest County safe.

Forrest County Fire Service
Serving and Protecting Our Communities

10/13/2026

The combination of wind, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will raise concerns of the spread of wildfires Tuesday afternoon into early evening in the east.

10/12/2026

PEOPLE IT GOES, WITHOUT SAYING, especially when it’s this dry; “DO NOT BURN”!!!  Humidity is going to be very low in the next few days so do not strike a match to burn your trash or your property off.
Firefighters are already running non-stop because of people intentionally burning trash, etc. unnecessarily… I promise you, IT CAN WAIT! DO NOT BURN UNTIL WE GET SOME RAIN!!!

A Burn Ban may be issued if we keep having these unnecessary fires.

Remember, if you start a fire, you need to be ready to fight it on your own for a while, especially if the Fire Departments and the Forestry Commission Crews are already on another fire and can’t break loose immediately. Remember if you start a fire and it crosses your property line, you are responsible for all damages, Smoke damage included so do not burn right now.

10/08/2026

Stay aware of any future updates on this storm system. Follow Forrest County Emergency Management

10/08/2026

Excellent reminder from the North Forrest Volunteer Fire Department.

CAN WE FIND YOU IN AN EMERGENCY?

When seconds matter, being able to quickly locate your home can make a critical difference. The North Forrest Volunteer Fire Department encourages everyone in our community to take a few minutes to make sure your address is clearly visible from the roadway day and night.

Make sure your address numbers are:

• Clearly visible from the road

• Large enough to be easily seen

• Reflective or illuminated for nighttime visibility placed on both your home and mailbox when possible.

• Kept clear of trees, bushes, and other debris.

When you call 911, emergency responders need to be able to find you quickly. A clearly marked address can help us get to you faster and begin providing assistance.

Please take a moment today to check your address visibility. It could make all the difference when an emergency happens.