Officials are on the scene in the eastern part of Rankin County as a forest fire has ravaged hundreds of acres, endangering homes in the area.
According to the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), dispatchers received a call Friday at 11 a.m. about a “controlled burn that had gotten out of containment.” While volunteer fire departments responded to the scene, local and state agencies were forced to mobilize additional resources as the flames increased.
As of now, the Rankin County Emergency Operations Center and the Mississippi Forestry Commission are working together with fire departments to stem the spread of the fire. Multiple roadways have been closed and homes evacuated.
“At present, the fire has consumed and burned several hundred acres endangering multiple homes as it moves generally eastward from Rankin County toward Scott County,” a statement from RCSD reads. “Deputies with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department have set roadblocks at Noblin Bridge Road and Lloyd Irby Road to ensure that fire personnel have sufficient area to work. They have also begun evacuating homes in the fire’s path to prevent any loss of life.
“Due to the fluid nature of this incident, additional roadways are likely to be closed, and further evacuations are likely to take place.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
