UPDATE: Natchez Trace Parkway Announces Fire Restrictions in Mississippi

Date: October 7, 2016
Contact: Mark Mendonca, [phone]

TUPELO, MS –Due to elevated forest fire danger, the Natchez Trace Parkway (Parkway) has placed burn restrictions on all open fires effective immediately. The restrictions correspond with the fire restrictions requested by the County Board of Supervisors (Clay, Chickasaw, Chocktaw, Hinds, Lee, Itawamba, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tishomingo, Warren, Webster) and approved by the Mississippi Forestry Commission. The ban currently affects the Parkway between mileposts 61 to 95 and 180 to 309. As of October 3, 2016, areas of the Parkway, located in Alabama and Tennessee, are not affected.

The use of propane/gas grills or outdoor propane/gas heaters is not affected by the ban. The use of charcoal grills is not affected by the ban, but the coals and embers generated by a charcoal grill should be completely extinguished with water before removing or dumping. Any fire should not be left unattended and should be located safely away from other combustible materials. Fireworks are always strictly prohibited along the Parkway and other federal lands.

These restrictions remain in effect until the fire danger in these affected areas becomes less severe. These restrictions are dependent on extended fire weather and conditions, and will be evaluated daily. Visitors to the parkway should note that the restrictions may extend beyond those imposed by the State of Mississippi.

National Park Service law enforcement may issue citations to anyone violating the terms of this closure, under the authority of Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 1.5(f). To decrease the potential for fire along the Parkway this season, we ask for everyone's cooperation during this high fire danger period.

To report a wildfire along the Parkway, please call the Emergency Communication Center at 1-800-300-PARK (7275), or dial 911. For more information about the Natchez Trace Parkway Fire Management Division, please visit https://www.nps.gov/natr/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm

www.nps.gov

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