The largest wildfire in Carroll County history is almost completely under control.
Officials with the Mississippi Forestry Commission said Tuesday that the blaze, which is being referred to as the “Big Hungry Fire,” is 90% contained and that air support has wrapped up. Ground crews, however, are continuing to battle the fire. Crews have moved into the “mop-up” phase and are currently patrolling the perimeter to extinguish hotspots and ensure there are no flare-ups. Approximately 4,246 acres have burned as a result of the fire.
The blaze now stands as the second-largest in Mississippi history, surpassed only by the 2025 “Shoot House Fire” near Petal, which spanned more than 6,000 acres.
The Carroll County fire expanded by more than 1,200 acres from when Gov. Tate Reeves notified the public on Saturday that state personnel and resources had been sent to the scene. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Carroll County and the surrounding area on Saturday, with a combination of dry air and moderate winds upping the odds of more fires breaking out. Evacuations took place along County Roads 218, 144, and 163, though no injuries or deaths have been reported at this time.
Agencies that have assisted in containing the blaze include Carroll County Fire Services, the U.S. Forest Service Aviation Support, and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
“The perimeter will continue to be monitored by both ground and air teams until we reach 100% containment,” the forestry commission stated.