Jackson County, MS Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Jackson County controls outdoor burning through a combination of municipal fire codes and state regulations. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) enforces Mississippi Air Quality Permit Regulations (APC-S-1) which strictly prohibit burning household trash, tires, roofing materials, plastic, treated lumber, and construction debris. Open burning within the city limits of Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Moss Point, and Gautier is generally prohibited except for small recreational fires. Yard waste burning in unincorporated Jackson County may be permitted under MS Forestry Commission rules with advance notification. Land-clearing burns require a permit from the Mississippi Forestry Commission under MS Code Ann. §49-19-351. Wind speed, humidity, and air quality index conditions may trigger temporary burn bans issued through the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency. After hurricanes, storm debris burning is sometimes permitted under emergency orders but requires coordination with emergency management. The humid subtropical climate helps reduce spread risk, but pine-heavy areas around Vancleave and north Jackson County present higher wildfire potential during extended dry periods. Gulf Coast inversion layers can trap smoke near the coast, making air quality violations more likely.