Wildfires strike state Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said 15 to 20 wildfires burned nearly 100 acres of timberland in the rural area near the Manifest and Aimwell communities of Catahoula Parish early Tuesday morning, March 24. Strain said Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry firefighters on the ground and air had all of the fires contained by mid-morning. The fires were set around 3 a.m. Seven LDAF fire crews with bulldozers and other heavy equipment from Catahoula, LaSalle, Grant and Caldwell parishes responded to the wildfire call. LDAF Fire District 3 manager Robert Lamb said the fires were deliberately set on locations along Amyx Road and Posey-Webb Camp Road. "The fires were not a threat to any homes or structures," Strain said. "Approximately 100 acres of timberland was destroyed." Depending on the age of the timber, the estimated damage from the wildfires may be as high as $160,000. Strain said LDAF wildfire enforcement personnel would examine the burned area and begin an official investigation. More than 900 wildfires have destroyed 12,807 acres of timberland in 2009 so far, Strain said. The average wildfire is contained to 10 acres. "Wildfire arson is a very serious matter and will be investigated and prosecuted fully," Strain said. "Please report suspected arson or wildfire activity as soon as possible." To report a forestry related crime, please call 225-925-4500. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said more than 2,500 acres of valuable timberland was consumed by wildfires in St. Tammany Parish over the weekend. State forestry officials estimated that the wildfires caused more than $3.5 million worth of damage. A fire near the Slidell Airport burned 1,922 acres and a second wildfire in the Mandeville area destroyed 742 acres. To date, no structures have been lost. "Fire crews worked around the clock to get wildfires in the Slidell and Mandeville areas under control," Strain said. "At this time, both fires are contained. These fires are still under investigation." The LDAF will continue to monitor the area by land and air. Louisiana's fire season is typically October through May but the beginning of fire season depends on the amount of rainfall the state has received. Strain said most of the state is extremely dry and conditions are ripe for wildfires because there has been little rainfall this year. Currently, the fire danger rating is high to very high in most of the state. The probability of a fire to start, the rate of spread and intensity of its burn determine the fire danger rating. "I commend our firefighters for performing so well while forced to operate with fewer human resources due to budgetary restrictions," Strain said. Strain advised Louisiana residents to be aware of the fire threat and monitor the fire danger rating for their area at the LDAF Web site, www.ldaf.la.gov. To report a wildfire, call the LDAF district office in your area. For more information about wildfires and safe burning, visit the LDAF Web site at www.ldaf.la.gov District 1 - Hammond; Telephone: 985-543-4057 |