Lake Volunteer Fire Department

10/23/2026

🔥 Weekly update: that brush pile is still not an emergency.

Scott, Newton, Leake, Smith, Rankin, Neshoba, Jasper, Madison, and even Simpson counties are STILL under burn bans. Your neighbor burning doesn’t mean the ban was lifted. It means there are now two people who need to read this post.

We know the yard needs cleaning. But we have never pulled up to a pile of leaves and thought, “Thank goodness they handled that before company came.” Leave it alone. Let company judge you. We support you.

Please call your parents, check on older neighbors, and tell anybody who doesn’t have Facebook. We don’t want anyone getting hurt or getting a ticket because they didn’t know.

We’d love to see you this weekend. Just not standing beside a smoking pasture explaining how you “had it under control.”

10/22/2026

Update: Scene is cleared.

Expect backups at Highway 80 at the Newton County line (right past The Hornets Nest) at this time due to an accident. Please do not attempt to come and “check it out” for the safety of first responders on scene. No questions, messages, or discussions about injuries, vehicle types, or “what happened” will be answered. We will update once scene is cleared.

10/20/2026

“How do you design shirts and haven’t made one for your own daughter?” 🤣

Somebody asked me that a while back. Turns out, this was the hardest one to get right. But we finally have Kenzi’s shirt. For those who don’t know her, my 18-year-old daughter has been battling severe ulcerative pancolitis, and has been mostly in the hospital since June of this year, receiving a total of 14 blood transfusions so far. She’s also a volunteer firefighter (only until she can be official 🤣), so Isaiah 43:2 felt especially fitting.

Purple for UC awareness. Her fire number, 513, on the little helmet. And “Never Alone” for the people who’ve stood beside her through all of it.

Designed for Kenzi, with a message that reaches beyond her story. Whatever fire you’re walking through, I hope you have people reminding you that you don’t have to walk through it alone.

Special pricing on these: https://southofsettled.com/products/kenzi-strong-never-alone-uc-awareness-tee

10/18/2026

⛪ A LITTLE SUNDAY FAVOR, Y’ALL.

Pastors, Sunday school teachers, Sunday dinner hosts, PLEASE help us get a message to the folks who aren’t scrolling Facebook.

Scott AND Newton counties are under burn bans. Please mention it during announcements, around the dinner table, or when you call or stop by to check on an older neighbor.

A lot of our recent calls have involved older residents who simply didn’t know. They were trying to clean up a few leaves, burn a little brush, or cook over an open fire, not realizing a burn ban was in place. This isn’t about fussing at them. We don’t want anyone getting hurt, losing their property, or getting a ticket over information that never reached them. Please ask them to hold off on outdoor burning and check with local officials about any cooking-fire questions before lighting anything.

Tag your pastor, preacher, deacon, bishop, minister, priest, elder, reverend, evangelist, Sunday school teacher, church secretary, or whoever handles church announcements. If you’re the one hosting Sunday dinner, please pass the message along with the potatoes. And if somebody immediately came to mind who’s probably outside gathering sticks right now, give them a call.

Not everybody has Facebook, but everybody deserves a heads-up. Help us reach beyond this page today. 🚒

10/17/2026

🚨 FIRE DANGER WARNING — PLEASE DO NOT BURN! 🚨

With the extremely dry conditions we are experiencing, even something as small as a discarded cigarette can spark a devastating fire that spreads quickly and puts entire neighborhoods at risk.

If it can be burned, it can wait! Please avoid burning brush, leaves, trash, or any other materials until conditions improve and it is safe to do so.

A single spark can put your home, your neighbors’ homes, and countless lives in danger. We want everyone to stay safe, and we want to prevent the heartbreak of losing homes, property, or, worst of all, lives.

🙏 Please do your part to protect our community. Avoid all unnecessary burning, properly dispose of ci******es, and never assume a small fire cannot become a major emergency.

Please share this message to help spread awareness and keep our community safe!

🚒 Your local fire department thanks you for your cooperation. Stay alert, stay safe, and help us prevent the next fire before it starts!

To all asking, this fire was located on Conehatta Decatur Road Friday night. Our Chief and Assistant Chief went to assist them with a couple more hands due to the winds Friday night.

10/16/2026

🔥 DO NOT BURN HERE, THERE, OR ANYWHERE. 🔥

Do not burn beside the road.
Do not burn that brush you mowed.
Not in the pasture. Not by the shed.
Find a different bad idea instead.

We know it’s finally cooling down.
That’s not permission to roast the town.
Wear your sweater. Enjoy the breeze.
Stay off of Scotty Ray Report’s radar, please.

“But I’ve got a hose,” you tell us.
“I’ll be right there with a rake.”
Sir, you’re wearing rubber Crocs.
Let’s not see how much they can take.

“I’ve burned for years!” We know. We know.
But watch how fast that wind can blow.
You blink. It jumps. You holler, “HEY!”
The fire does not care what you say.

Now the whole neighborhood’s outside,
And you’ve lost a Croc in the heat.
Your wife is explaining on Facebook
Why six fire trucks are in the street.

Your cousin comments, “Praying.”
Your buddy writes, “Nice tan.”
And there you stand in one lone Croc:
“This was NOT part of the plan.”

So leave the leaves. Ignore the pile.
Let that mess be mess a while.
Not here. Not there. Not “I don’t care.”
DO NOT BURN IT ANYWHERE. 🚒🚫

SCOTT AND NEWTON COUNTIES ARE BOTH UNDER BURN BANS. Strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation are creating dangerous fire conditions today and Saturday. Cooler weather does NOT mean it’s safe to burn. We’d rather see your yard looking a mess than your yard on the news.

And our Firefighter 513, Makenzi, said to definitely wait until she’s out of the hospital please because she’s missed a lot of calls 🤣

10/14/2026

📢 🚨🚨IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨🚨
Scott County is currently under an OFFICIAL BURN BAN through November 2nd.
Due to dry weather, ALL OPEN FLAMES AND OUTDOOR BURNING ARE PROHIBITED.
🛑 NO Fire Pits or Chimineas
🛑 NO Campfires or Bonfires
🛑 NO Debris, Leaf, or Yard Waste Burning
🛑 NO Burn Barrels
Embers travel fast in dry conditions! Only gas/propane grills are recommended at this time. Please do your part to prevent accidental wildfires.
Thank you for keeping Scott County safe! 🚒🔥

Not only are you putting yourself and your neighbors in danger you are also endangering every firefighter that is responding to a preventable fire.

10/12/2026

🚨🚨🚨 Scott county is now under a burn ban until November 2 please do not burn anything.

10/09/2026

Fire departments cannot issue burn bans, but we ask that you please DO NOT BURN THIS WEEKEND!

https://www.wjtv.com/weather/tropics/mississippi-faces-high-wildfire-risk-as-isaias-approaches/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAU1_dpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWZkaWQWUP8Il8jZVD8dDd1MxmXvTH9-Kb_1cHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR57dAxmBWg5Aiml9Jv28hESXhfxFJdZQ7_oxnSRjzp7zU-vbIEhaxcF0FaBSg_aem_JXWNxyfgZbp0C8AhDlRJRA

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) warned of a high wildfire risk on October 9, 2026. Officials said a critical combination of dry air, near-record high tempera…

10/09/2026

FRIDAY WEATHER UPDATE SCOTT & NEWTON COUNTIES, October 9, Based on the 10 a.m. NHC advisory and 10:08 a.m. NWS Jackson statement

Isaias is now a CATEGORY 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph. The center is moving north-northeast at 16 mph and is expected to reach the western Florida Panhandle coast THIS EVENING. The forecast has changed: NHC now expects Isaias to remain at or near major hurricane strength at landfall. Please don’t count on the earlier weakening forecast to make this storm harmless.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR AREA
Newton County remains under a Tropical Storm Watch. Scott County is not included in that watch in the latest NWS Jackson statement. Lake FD serves BOTH counties, and we are watching our entire service area. The center is still forecast to pass east of us and move north through Alabama. The greatest Mississippi impacts are expected generally across eastern and southeastern portions of the state. For our area, the concerns are gusty winds, broken limbs, downed trees, possible power outages, and periods of rain that could cause localized flooding. Tropical storm force winds remain possible across portions of eastern and southeastern Mississippi. NWS also notes gusty winds are possible elsewhere across central Mississippi on Saturday. Those 120 mph sustained winds are near the hurricane’s center. They are NOT the forecast for Lake, Scott County or Newton County.

PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE POWER OUTAGES
The storm will move inland quickly, carrying damaging winds beyond the coast while it weakens. Its wind field has expanded: tropical storm force winds now extend outward up to 205 miles from the center, although not equally far in every direction. NWS Jackson lists possible scattered power and communications outages across eastern and southeastern Mississippi. Charge phones and battery packs now, have flashlights ready, and make a backup plan for anyone who depends on electricity-powered medical equipment. Stay away from downed lines and anything touching them. Report routine outages to your electric provider; call 911 for an immediate emergency.

WHY DIDN’T THE WIND SHEAR WEAKEN IT?
The stronger wind shear arrived, but it has not disrupted Isaias enough to stop its strengthening. NHC says the shear is nearly aligned with the storm’s movement, reducing its effects, while conditions higher in the atmosphere are helping the hurricane ventilate. The high pressure ridge to the east and the upper level trough to the west have been steering the storm northward between them. The old frontal boundary is not a barrier that keeps hurricane weather away from us. Weakening is expected after landfall, but damaging winds can continue well inland during that process.

DON’T USE THE CONE AS A SAFETY LINE
Scott and Newton counties remain west of the forecast center. The greatest tornado threat is expected east of the center, particularly across the Florida Panhandle into southern Georgia, spreading farther inland Saturday. Being west of the track does not eliminate wind or rain impacts. The cone shows uncertainty in the CENTER’S path, not the full reach of hazardous weather. A shift of even 100 miles can change who gets the worst conditions and 100 miles is an example, not a limit. Keep weather alerts on tonight and Saturday. NWS expects conditions to gradually improve from south to north into Saturday evening.

FOR OUR COASTAL FRIENDS
Life threatening storm surge and extremely dangerous winds are expected in the coastal warning areas. Surge could reach 6 to 9 feet above ground from the Alabama Florida border to Grayton Beach where peak surge coincides with high tide. Follow evacuation instructions from local officials and have a safe place to shelter. Prepare for extended power outages.

PLEASE DO NOT BURN
Hold off on burning fields, brush piles and yard debris. We have been dry, and rain in the forecast is not rain that has already fallen. Gusty winds can turn a manageable fire into one you cannot control. Cooler temperatures do not make dry grass safe to burn. Please enjoy the fall weather without setting your fields on fire.

Before conditions worsen:
✅ Secure outdoor furniture, trash cans, decorations and other loose items.
✅ Charge phones and check flashlights.
✅ Check on neighbors who may need help.
✅ Keep generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents.
✅ Never drive through flooded roads.
✅ Avoid unnecessary travel during strong winds or heavy rain.

Stay prepared and follow NWS Jackson and emergency management updates.

Assistant Chief Landon Devoter
Lake Volunteer Fire Department