Four fires in South Mississippi have threatened and burned structures, officials say

Authorities battled four fires across South Mississippi this week, and several in Harrison County had damaged structures and threatened more Thursday and into Friday, Mississippi fire officials said.

Fires near Woolmarket, West Harrison and Saucier were all “100% under control” Friday afternoon, said Pat Sullivan, the Harrison County Fire Chief. No evacuations have been ordered, he said. All three fires began Thursday afternoon.

A fire that began Wednesday in Fenton was burning between County Road 388, Fenton Dedeaux Road and Runnymede Road, said Kevin Craft, a Mississippi Forestry Commission outreach officer.

That blaze burned 380 acres and was 60% contained by Friday morning, Craft said. No damage was reported, and Craft said structures should remain protected even as smoke remains in the area.

It is unclear how much the flames spread in Harrison County but Sullivan estimated 100 to 150 acres had burned before authorities controlled the fires.

In Harrison County, several structures, including trailers and mechanic shop, had been damaged and destroyed near McDonald Road and Bells Ferry Road, Sullivan said.

Two vehicles were lost in West Harrison County near Pass Christian, said Shannon Coker, Communications Director for the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

Sullivan also said two dogs had been injured in the Harrison County fires.

The fires continued to threaten structures in each area Thursday evening, Sullivan said.

It is unclear what caused the fire in Hancock County. But in Harrison County, Sullivan said, “most of these fires were caused by people trying to burn things and it got out of control.”