Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

06/18/2026

06/14/2026

June 14, 2026

Informational Bulletin

Prescribed Fire Scheduled

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn today, 6/14/26, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site consists of 361 acres located North of Interstate 10 and East of Seaman Road in Jackson County, MS

Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savanna, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels also creates a safer environment for the public living in rural areas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable for a successful burn and a burn permit has been issued from the State of Mississippi.

Personnel assisting with the burn are highly trained in wildland fire and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

06/13/2026

June 13, 2026


Informational Bulletin


Prescribed Fire Scheduled

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn today, 6/13/26, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site consists of 66 acres located South of Interstate 10 and East of Gautier Vancleave Road in Gautier, MS.

Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savanna, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels also creates a safer environment for the public living in rural areas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable for a successful burn and a burn permit has been issued from the State of Mississippi.

Personnel assisting with the burn are highly trained in wildland fire and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

06/11/2026

June 11, 2026

Informational Bulletin

Prescribed Fire Scheduled

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn today, 6/11/26, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site consists of 202 acres located North of Interstate 10 and East of Seaman Road in Jackson County, MS

Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savanna, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels also creates a safer environment for the public living in rural areas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable for a successful burn and a burn permit has been issued from the State of Mississippi.

Personnel assisting with the burn are highly trained in wildland fire and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

06/10/2026

June 10, 2026

Informational Bulletin

Prescribed Fire Scheduled

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn today, 6/10/26, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site consists of 257 acres located North of Interstate 10 and West of Gautier Vancleave Road in Jackson County, MS.

Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savanna, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels also creates a safer environment for the public living in rural areas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable for a successful burn and a burn permit has been issued from the State of Mississippi.

Personnel assisting with the burn are highly trained in wildland fire and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

06/09/2026

June 9, 2026

Informational Bulletin

Prescribed Fire Scheduled

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn today, 6/9/26, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site consists of 336 acres located North of Interstate 10 and West of Gautier Vancleave Road in Jackson County, MS.

Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savanna, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels also creates a safer environment for the public living in rural areas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable for a successful burn and a burn permit has been issued from the State of Mississippi.

Personnel assisting with the burn are highly trained in wildland fire and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

06/05/2026

June 5, 2026

Informational Bulletin

Prescribed Fire Scheduled

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn today, 6/5/26, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site consists of 195 acres located North of Interstate 10 and West of Antioch Road in Jackson County, MS.

Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savanna, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels also creates a safer environment for the public living in rural areas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable for a successful burn and a burn permit has been issued from the State of Mississippi.

Personnel assisting with the burn are highly trained in wildland fire and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

06/04/2026

June 4, 2026

Informational Bulletin

Prescribed Fire Scheduled

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn today, 6/4/26, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site consists of 136 acres located South of Interstate 10 and West of Gautier Vancleave Road in Jackson County, MS.

Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savanna, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels also creates a safer environment for the public living in rural areas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable for a successful burn and a burn permit has been issued from the State of Mississippi.

Personnel assisting with the burn are highly trained in wildland fire and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

06/03/2026

**** UPDATE: June 4, 2026 ********

Informational Bulletin

Prescribed Fire Scheduled

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn today, 6/4/26, at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. The potential burn site consists of 61 acres located North of Interstate 10 and West of Old Fort Bayou Road in Gautier, MS.

Prescribed fires are an essential part of Refuge management to restore the native wet pine savanna, which is home to the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs. Burning to remove hazardous fuels also creates a safer environment for the public living in rural areas. Weather conditions are forecasted to be favorable for a successful burn and a burn permit has been issued from the State of Mississippi.

Personnel assisting with the burn are highly trained in wildland fire and maintains fire breaks around the Refuge. The public should be aware that smoke may move through some adjacent areas and that Refuge equipment & personnel will be in the area. There is a chance that roads in the area may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

05/22/2026

Nature’s Rarest Treasures: Trail Camera Images of Crane Nesting & New Chicks!

Observing wildlife in a natural, undisturbed state provides valuable insight into authentic behavioral patterns. This trail camera captured the most priceless moments of all—MS sandhill crane parents patiently tending their nest, guarding their eggs, and welcoming their new chicks into the world. Even after heavy rains swelled the pond and soaked their nest, the devoted pair worked tirelessly to rebuild and stabilize it—an extraordinary glimpse of their resilience and unwavering commitment to protecting their young.

Photos 1-19 show MS sandhill cranes incubating eggs, stabilizing their nest after flooding and caring for newly hatched chicks.