JACKSON — The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on Friday opened applications for its Fire on the Forty program, officials said, with the 2026 application period running May 1 through June 19. Approved projects will be funded through April 30, 2027.
The program promotes the use of controlled, or prescribed, burns on private lands to support native plant growth, reduce invasive vegetation and lower the risk of more destructive wildfires, officials said. Prescribed fire is widely considered a key tool for managing forests and wildlife habitats across the South, but many landowners avoid it because of cost and liability concerns.
Eligible landowners in selected counties may receive reimbursement for up to 75% of the cost of conducting prescribed burns, up to a maximum per-acre rate, officials said. Applications are competitively ranked on factors such as potential habitat benefits, and funding decisions are made by Mississippi Partners for Fish and Wildlife.
The program includes an educational component with workshops that combine classroom instruction and hands-on field experience on topics such as fire planning, safety, ignition techniques and legal considerations. Workshops are often held in partnership with agencies including the Mississippi Forestry Commission and Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Since its launch in 2015, officials said, Fire on the Forty has supported prescribed burns on more than 100,000 acres of private land and provided training to more than 1,200 landowners. The program received a 2026 Land Stewardship Award from the National Wild Turkey Federation. Officials said the broader goal is to create connected habitat that benefits species such as bobwhite quail and rabbits and to encourage more landowners to adopt prescribed burning practices.
More information, including application details and workshop schedules, is available through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
