Local fire departments worked a grass fire off Interstate 59 South Saturday afternoon, which scorched a large patch of land.
The Picayune Fire and Nicholson Volunteer Fire departments responded to the call around 2:30 p.m., Picayune Fire Department Captain Ronnie Reynolds said.
He estimated about one acre of brush, located south of Exit 4 on I-59 South, was burned, causing large clouds of smoke to slow traffic along the interstate.
The cause of the fire is undetermined, but likely increased in severity due to dryness of the brush, Reynolds said.
Crews fought the flames for several hours and continued extinguishing hot spots until early Saturday evening.
Pearl River County Fire Marshal Albert Lee said there were several other small brush fires in the county over the weekend.
Lee said the countywide burn ban remains in effect.
“Hopefully it will rain tonight and take care of it,” Lee said.