After a Mississippi Coast island caught fire during a Fourth of July fireworks show, officials have confirmed the island is back open to the public.
Video footage captured by WXXV-TV showed a swath of Deer Island covered in flames during the city of Biloxi’s annual fireworks show. The show began at 9 p.m. with the fire able to be seen by those gathering on Biloxi beach by around 9:30 p.m.
The Biloxi Fire Department quickly dispatched a boat to the uninhabited island, which is close enough that it can be seen from the mainland, and was able to put it out within 15 minutes. The cause remains unclear, but it’s not unusual for sparks or embers coming in contact with dry vegetation to spark a wildfire. That was the case in 2023 when a portion of Deer Island caught on fire during Independence Day festivities.
On Monday, officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources said an assessment of the areas impacted by the fire has been completed, and all trails on the island are once again open to the public. Deer Island has multiple named trails that are free to use.
“After a complete assessment of the areas affected by the wildfire on July 4 at Deer Island, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources has reopened the trails and interior portions of the island. The MDMR Office of Coastal Preserves has assessed the area, and it is clear from all possible hazards,” a press release noted.
