Highway 30 Fires Out Near Paden; Road Reopens

The Highway 30 fires that burned along the roadside between Paden and the Prentiss County line on Wednesday have been put out, and the highway has reopened after a brief closure, according to an update from the Tishomingo County News on Thursday morning. Firefighters stayed on scene to put out hot spots, and drivers are asked to use caution in the area.

The outlet said the fires were reportedly started by a dragging chain. No official agency has confirmed the cause yet.

What happened with the Highway 30 fires

On Wednesday evening, firefighters were working multiple spot fires along Highway 30 from Paden to the Prentiss County border, WTVA reported. Tishomingo County Fire Coordinator Shelly Davis told the station that crews from four Tishomingo County fire departments responded, along with firefighters from Prentiss County and the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

Davis said the fires weren’t threatening homes at that point. Residents posting on Facebook Wednesday evening reported heavy smoke and said the highway was shut down near the Paden bridge over the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

No injuries or damage to buildings have been reported. Officials haven’t released how many acres burned.

How a dragging chain can start a fire

Fire officials across the South warn every fall that a chain dragging behind a truck or trailer can throw sparks onto the road shoulder. In dry weather, those sparks can light grass fires one after another along a highway, which matches the line of spot fires crews saw Wednesday. The same thing can happen with dragging exhaust pipes, worn brakes, or a tire rim running on pavement.

Drivers who pull trailers can cut the risk with a few quick checks:

• Cross safety chains under the tongue and keep them short enough that they don’t touch the pavement.
• Check that nothing is hanging or dragging before you pull out, and again at stops.
• Keep tires properly inflated and bearings greased, so a failed tire doesn’t put a bare rim on the road.
• Don’t park or idle on tall, dry grass, since a hot exhaust system can ignite it.

Dry conditions continue across the region

The fires come during an unusually dry fall in northeast Mississippi. Alcorn County remains under an emergency burn ban through Oct. 12. As of Wednesday evening, Tishomingo County wasn’t under a burn ban, according to WTVA. Rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Isaias could reach the area this weekend, but until it does, residents should avoid outdoor burning and report any smoke or fire to 911 right away.

Read our earlier report on the Highway 30 fires near Paden and our look at Isaias rain chances for northeast Mississippi.

Sources: Tishomingo County News; WTVA