What this means
Outdoor burning is prohibited in Simpson County — the ban has been in effect since August 14, 2026. A county burn ban typically covers brush piles, debris fires, and open flames outside an enclosed container; many counties also pause burn permits while it lasts.
Burn ban through September 1. Exempt: the Forestry Commission, certified burn managers and commercial contractors with heavy construction equipment (under MDEQ rules).
Burn bans are declared and lifted by the county, and enforced locally — a violation is usually a citation, and a fire that gets away can cost far more.
Rules change fast in dry weather — confirm with the Simpson County fire marshal or burn line before you light. The statewide list lives with Mississippi Forestry Commission.
Recent history
- Burn ban in effect August 22, 2026 – today
Simpson County is abnormally dry on this week's drought map — the step before drought. See the Mississippi drought map — how dry it is out there is usually the best clue to where a ban is headed.