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2023 Louisiana wildfires

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2023 Louisiana wildfires
Wildfires burning in southwest Louisiana on August 26
LocationLouisiana
Statistics
Impacts
Deaths2
Evacuated1,500+

In a three-month period from August to October 2023,[1][2] wildfires in Louisiana have burned more than 60,000 acres (94 sq mi), and forced evacuations across several towns in the state, including Merryville and Singer.[1][3][4] First burning on August 22, at least 441 wildfires are active across 17 parishes,[1][5] and the fires have burned at least 21 buildings, prompting the Federal Emergency Management Agency to approve an assistance grant in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana.[6] At least 100 Louisiana National Guard troops were deployed on standby as several wildfires were contained. The most significant fire, the Tiger Island fire in Beauregard Parish, is the largest wildfire recorded in the state, burning over 50,000 acres.

Preparations and impact

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Merryville High School closed, and a high school in Singer, Louisiana was closed.[7] Several state routes across Beauregard Parish were closed, including portions of Louisiana highways 27, 110, and 389.[8][9] In DeRidder, nursing homes were evacuated as a precaution due to the fast-moving Tiger Island fire.[6]

On August 21, a red flag warning was issued for southwestern Louisiana.[10] Wildfire smoke from the Louisiana wildfires was observed as far as Lafayette and Acadiana.[11] Wildfire smoke also caused hazy skies across the New Orleans metropolitan area, and wildfire smoke was observed as far east as southern Mississippi.[12][13] Several fires were started across Calcasieu, Sabine, Tangipahoa, and Vernon parishes, where an arrest was made in connection to the Vernon Parish fire.[14] The wildfire in Tangipahoa parish burned 171 acres (7,400,000 sq ft).[15] As of August 26, all fires across Calcasieu, Sabine, Tangipahoa, and Vernon parishes were contained.[16] A mandatory evacuation was issued for portions of Vernon parish.[17] The wildfires also occurred in an area where an "extreme" or "exceptional" drought was occurring.[18] 17 parishes where wildfires were occurring declared a state of emergency.[6] Water infrastructure near Singer was damaged, leading to significant losses in pressure and causing outages.[19] At least two fatalities occurred.[4]

Tiger Island fire

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On August 22, a fire started in Beauregard Parish, before spreading to numerous areas of the Parish.[20] Power outages occurred in Singer, Louisiana, and a main water line north of Singer burned due to the fires, forcing the Beauregard Parish Police Jury to shut off water from the connecting water lines, including water lines to Merryville.[9][21] The fire spread further after a gusty thunderstorm produced wind gusts of over 40 miles per hour (64 km/h).[22][3] At least ten buildings were destroyed by the fires.[23][24] The town of Evans was also under a mandatory evacuation order.[3] 348 loads of water and nearly 161,000 gallons were used with firefighting efforts.[21] On August 25, evacuation orders were issued for Bancroft and Junction.[21] Two days later, on August 27, the fire grew in size to 33,000 acres (52 sq mi), and, according to officials, became the largest wildfire ever recorded in the state.[25][26] On August 29, the fire was only 50 percent contained as the fire burned more than 50,000 acres (78 sq mi).[27][28] The Louisiana State Department of Agriculture and Forestry said the fire had been caused by arson.[29][30] Rainfall across western portions of the fire in early September 2023 helped firefighters to increase the containment of the wildfire to 65 percent.[31] The community of Neale was also burned.[32] One death occurred in Singer.[33]

Pitkin fire

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Smoke plumes from the fire near Pitkin on August 26th.

On August 24, a fire described as "out of control" was reported in Vernon Parish, near Pitkin, Louisiana. Nearby residents were evacuated, and multiple structures began to burn.[34][35]

Response

[edit]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the Fire Management Assistance Grant in Beauregard Parish.[36] The American Red Cross assisted with relief efforts, and the United States Army Blackhawk helicopters assisted with firefighting operations in addition to Fort Johnson Crash Trucks.[9][25] Assistance also came from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas,[37] and Tennessee, and 161 bulldozers from the National Guard were deployed.[9][25][38] A Boeing CH-47 Chinook was also deployed to help with efforts to drop water onto the fires; at least 161,000 gallons of water were dropped from the CH-47.[25] Four strike teams were to arrive from Florida with 160 firefighters and 20 bulldozers.[25] Merryville, Louisiana was under a mandatory evacuation order that has since been lifted.[7][39][40] Emergency operations centers were activated on August 23, and a church was opened for a temporary shelter in DeRidder, Louisiana.[21][41] On August 25, Texas governor Greg Abbott announced that firefighters and emergency personnel would be dispatched to Merryville, Louisiana to assist in firefighting efforts.[42] More than 200 Louisiana National Guard troops were dispatched to assist in firefighting efforts.[21][43] Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards stated that "Nobody alive in Louisiana has ever seen these conditions."[44] Governor Edwards also assessed damage across Vernon and Sabine parishes.[43] Toledo Bend Army Recreation Park near the Toledo Bend Reservoir was closed.[45] The United Way of southwest Louisiana started a fire fund for collecting donations to assist wildfire victims.[19] On August 29, Beauregard Parish School Board schools resumed operations and classes.[19]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Louisiana fights wildfires, as extreme heat and dry weather plague the state". AP News. August 23, 2023. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  2. ^ Heyen, Curtis (October 9, 2023). "Wildfire danger persists in Sabine Parish". KSLA. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Maschke, Alena; Marcantel, Stephen (August 25, 2023). "Governor warns wildfires not contained: 'Nobody in Louisiana has ever seen these conditions'". The Advocate. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Patil, Anushka (August 29, 2023). "Wildfires Burn Across Louisiana, Killing 2". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  5. ^ Speck, Emilee (August 27, 2023). "Louisiana governor asks for prayers as wildfires rage, thousands remain under evacuation orders". FOX Weather. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c LaRose, Greg (August 27, 2023). "Louisiana wildfires force more evacuations; 17 parishes under state of emergency". Louisiana Illuminator. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Askelson, Kristin (August 24, 2023). "Beauregard wildfire forces more mandatory evacuations; high temps, winds hamper firefighting". The Advocate. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  8. ^ Evans, Jakob (August 22, 2023). "Two school closures and voluntary evacuation expanded for parts of Beauregard Parish". KPLC. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d Team, KPLC Digital (August 24, 2023). "Beauregard Wildfire: Town of Merryville under mandatory evacuation, 'Leave immediately'". KPLC. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  10. ^ Burleigh, Emily (August 25, 2023). "TIMELINE: This is how the Tiger Island Fire unfolded, hour by hour". American Press. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  11. ^ White, Ashley (August 24, 2023). "Why is it so smokey and hazy in Lafayette if the Louisiana wildfires are so far away?". The Advocate. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  12. ^ Choum, Bun (August 27, 2023). "Are you seeing hazy skies? You're not alone. The western Louisiana wildfires are to blame, officials say". WDSU. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  13. ^ Gard, Hannah (August 27, 2023). "Hazy skies caused by western Louisiana wildfires". FOX8. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Team, KALB Digital (August 25, 2023). "Rosepine man arrested in connection with fire in Providence area". KALB. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  15. ^ LaRose, Greg (August 26, 2023). "Governor: Wildfires present 'very dangerous, unpredictable' weekend for Louisiana". Louisiana Illuminator. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  16. ^ "Sabine Parish's Pirates Cove fire contained; homes destroyed". KTBS. August 25, 2023. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  17. ^ "'LEAVE NOW!!' - Mandatory evacuation issued for parts of Vernon Parish due to wildfire". WBRZ. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Bushard, Brian. "Hundreds Of Louisiana Wildfires Burn As Record Heat Brings 'Flash Drought' Warnings". Forbes. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  19. ^ a b c Team, KPLC Digital (August 28, 2023). "WILDFIRE UPDATES: Beauregard schools resume Tuesday". KPLC-TV. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  20. ^ "Tiger Island - Wildfire and Smoke Map". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e Smart, Sara (August 25, 2023). "Wildfires force southwestern Louisiana town to evacuate amid extreme drought". CNN. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  22. ^ Thorington, Brooke. "Evacuation order issued for Merryville". louisianaradionetwork.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  23. ^ "Wildfire force evacuation of La. town experiencing severe drought". New York Daily News. August 24, 2023. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  24. ^ "Dozens of wildfires burn in Louisiana amid scorching heat: "This is unprecedented" - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. August 25, 2023. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c d e Askelson, Kristin (August 27, 2023). "Louisiana's largest fire, at 33,000 acres, will likely burn until 'we get some good, long rain'". The Advocate. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  26. ^ Butine, Angelica (August 27, 2023). "Firefighters, first responders in a nonstop battle against Tiger Island Fire". KPLC. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  27. ^ "Record-setting wildfires are burning across Louisiana, fueled by heat and drought". NBC News. August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  28. ^ Amudalat, Ajasa (August 29, 2023). "Louisiana sees 'unprecedented' wildfires amid record heat, drought". The Washington Post.
  29. ^ Grant, Teddy (September 3, 2023). "Largest wildfire in Louisiana was caused by arson, state officials say". ABC News. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  30. ^ "Louisiana's Tiger Island wildfire ruled arson, officials say". CBS News. September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  31. ^ Yoshonis, Scott (September 6, 2023). "Firefighters making headway in Louisiana wildfires, Tiger Island now 65% contained". KLFY. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  32. ^ "Wildfire updates for Tuesday, September 4". KATC. September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  33. ^ Foster, Lena (September 7, 2023). "Man dies in Singer house fire Tuesday". KLFY. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  34. ^ Team, KPLC Digital (August 25, 2023). "VERNON WILDFIRES: Residents on Graham Road, Lonnie Jean Loop asked to evacuate". KSLA. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  35. ^ Staff report (August 24, 2023). "'Out of control' wildfire in Vernon Parish forces emergency evacuation". The Advocate. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  36. ^ Burleigh, Emily (August 24, 2023). "FEMA approves grant for Beauregard Parish to help with wildfire fighting efforts". American Press. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  37. ^ Grajeda, Antoinette (October 10, 2023). "Arkansas governor deploys firefighters to assist with Mississippi wildfires". Arkansas Advocate. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  38. ^ Sauter, Danica (August 28, 2023). "Three mid-state emergency agencies to help with Louisiana wildfires". WSMV. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  39. ^ Baurick, Tristan (August 23, 2023). "Louisiana's largest wildfire triggers evacuations in Beauregard Parish". NOLA.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  40. ^ Larose, Greg (August 28, 2023). "Louisiana wildfires lead to second fatality; some evacuation orders lifted". Louisiana Illuminator. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  41. ^ Salam, Erum; Laughland, Oliver (August 25, 2023). "Louisiana residents told to 'get out now' in face of sweeping wildfire". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  42. ^ "Entire Louisiana town under mandatory evacuation because of wildfire". AP News. August 25, 2023. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  43. ^ a b Galatas, Marissa (August 27, 2023). "Gov. Jon Bel Edwards gives an update on wildfires". WDSU. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  44. ^ "Video Mandatory evacuations as dangerous wildfires spread across Louisiana". ABC News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  45. ^ Team, KALB Digital (August 23, 2023). "Wildfire information and resources blog". KALB. Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
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