(KALB) - Check back for updates as we continue to monitor wildfires in our area and provide resource information.

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NOTE: Emergency Operations Center activated due to wildfire threat in Louisiana

NATCHITOCHES PARISH

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #1 and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry are at the scene of a brush/woods fire in the 200 block of Litton Nugent Road near Marco. Agencies responded around 2:15 p.m.

No structures are in danger at this time.

It is believed that the fire was caused by a down power line in the area.

SWEPCO is also responding.

You may observe a smoke haze in south Natchitoches Parish, Grant and Rapides Parishes over the next couple of hours.

BEAUREGARD PARISH

TIGER ISLAND FIRE:

The fire in the Merryville and Singer area is now officially named “Tiger Island Fire” due to the fact that it was started near a hunting club bearing that name. Investigators believe this fire started as a result of arson. They are currently requesting the public’s assistance for any information regarding the person or persons responsible for igniting the fire.

THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE:

The BURN BAN is still in effect with ZERO tolerance for violations.

LATEST FROM THE TIGER ISLAND FIRE LA INFORMATION PAGE:

Louisiana Statewide Burn Ban: The State Fire Marshal’s Office’s order prohibiting ALL private burning and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry ban on all agricultural burning, remain in effect. These are reevaluated weekly. Open burning with exposed flames is prohibited with no exceptions. The use of prescribed fires is also banned. More information is available at http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov/doc/press/pr_2023-36.pdf

Highlights: All four fires continue to have reburning in interior locations where needle cast continues to fall and hot spots remain due to heavier fuels. Multiple helicopters are providing water drops to cool areas of reburn, and ground crews continue to clear needle cast from containment lines and work inward from fire area perimeters to suppress hot spots and reburn. Hot spots continue to persist in hardwood drainages and are being monitored closely since there is a potential for more active fire behavior and spread along these drainages. Snag trees with weakened root systems are a major safety concern for crews as they work in the interior of the burn areas. The Southern Area Gold Team will transition with the Southern Area Blue Team and assume command on Saturday morning.

Tiger Island Fire: 31,290 acres, no change | 84% containment| 117 personnel assigned

Equipment resources assigned to the fires include Type 6 Engines; Dozers; Tractor Plow Units; and Water Tenders. Aerial resources include helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Additional support is being provided by Parish authorities and departments; Sheriff’s Offices; and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Weather & Fire Behavior: High temperatures in the low to mid 90s and slightly higher relative humidity near 35% are forecast for this afternoon. Southeast winds of 5 to 10 mph with gusts into the teens are expected. Fuel moistures remains critically low for all fuel types with smaller fuels in the 6 to 9% range. Heavier fuels are very low with 10 to 15% fuel moisture due to the long-term EXCEPTIONAL /EXTREME drought conditions. The combination of weather and fuel moisture provides the potential for moderate to high fire behavior to continue.

Air Quality: Smoke may occur in areas of reburn. Air quality information is available at the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map at: https://fire.airnow.gov/ .

Temporary Flight Restriction: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Tiger Island Fire and Hwy 113 and Elizabeth Fire areas. If you fly, we can’t. Aircraft or drone intrusions into the restricted airspace endangers aircrews conducting fire operations and aerial resources are grounded for safety. This unnecessarily places aircrews and ground fire crews at risk in a dynamic and dangerous fire environment.

RESOURCES:

Please be aware that there are people and fake organizations that look to take advantage of people during disasters. Before donating, please ensure it is with a reputable organization:

Cajun Cowboy Rescue is set at the Vernon Parish Rodeo Arena. They’re working Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, Vernon Parish Cattlemen’s Association, and McNeese State University. They are currently taking in livestock and small animals for evacuations. If there’s anything you need livestock wise they said to fill out this form: https://ncba-uvcwn.formstack.com/.../wildfire_damage_survey

FORT JOHNSON OFF POST SOLDIERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS: If you are an Active Duty Soldier or Family Member who resides off post and are affected by an evacuation order issued by local authorities, the Main Post Chapel is open as a temporary safe haven, until further accommodations can be made.

DONATIONS and SUPPLIES for first responders and those affected by the wildfires may be dropped off at the Office of Emergency Preparedness located on Ned Woodham Road, which is east of the old VP Correctional Facility.

There are 2 shelters available at the First Methodist Church and First Baptist Church in DeRidder.

Red Cross, who provided shelter to evacuees at First United Methodist Church in DeRidder, is giving out a case of water and bagged meals to families as they leave to return home.

Catholic Charities of SWLA is providing assistance with case management and food distribution. For those who have lost frozen food, they may be able to help. For more information, CLICK HERE.

A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief feeding unit is set up at the Beauregard Baptist Association (735 West Drive, DeRidder) and is providing meals for all first responders, linemen, forestry, evacuees at the Red Cross Center and they can deliver where needed for volunteers working the fires. Call the BBA office at 337-202-4043 for more information. Check back Friday for meal times.

The Church International - Rosepine has been providing meals for those affected by the fire and first responders in Beauregard and Vernon parishes. Follow the church page for updates for this meal outreach. Check back for future meal times.

The Market on Mahlon Street vendors have been feeding those impacted as well as first responders. Follow the market page to follow their meal updates.

Donations

United Way of Southwest Louisiana has a fire fund where they are collecting money to assist those affected.

The Beauregard Sheriff’s Office says Catholic Charities will be handling private donations of money and food along with distribution of food. They can be contacted at (337) 419-4393.

The United Way of Southwest Louisiana has launched a Fire Relief Fund to support individuals and families who have been affected by the fires in Beauregard Parish. 100% of the proceeds will be directed to distributing these funds to the community and assisting firefighters. Donations can be made on their website HERE or by texting FIRESWLA to 40403.

The United Way is also working with any organization or company that wishes to make an in-kind donation to these communities. If you would like to make an in-kind donation you can fill out an online form HERE.

Elite Window Tinting is taking donations for first responders outside Stine’s on Nelson Road in Lake Charles.

Houston River Fire Department Chief Dean Lappe says they have all the supplies they’ll need for now but will let people know if they start to get low again.

Dewith Carrier State Representative District 32 is collecting donations of Liquid IV Hydration packets to distribute to first responders and volunteers in Beauregard Parish. If you can help, contact the district office at 318-335-0206 and arrangements will be made to pick up the donations.

New Step Outreach, DeRidder, has been making and distributing snack kits for first responders. Contact the organization for more information, 337-226-5602.

Water, Gatorade and non-perishable snacks for first responders can be dropped off at the Westside Fire Station in DeRidder, 102 Wilson Street. Firefighters will get it to the areas in need. This is to limit the traffic in and around the response area.

Evacuee Info

The American Red Cross is set up at the First United Methodist Church, 406 W. Shirley St., DeRidder, with some cots if people need to evacuate. For more information, call the church office at 337-463-4491.

Dry Creek Baptist Camp, 8237 La. 113, is taking in people who need to evacuate. They have lodging and meals. First responders can also go there to cool off, if need be. Call the camp if you have questions, 337-495-3222.

First Baptist Church on the east side of DeRidder is also serving as a shelter for those who need to evacuate.

The Beauregard Covered Arena is being evacuated and animals are being accepted at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, BPSO said.

The Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds will not be taking in animals as they are at full capacity. If you need to contact management call 337-396-7715 or 337-375-2028.

The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office Animal Control has availability in their new facility if someone should need to house pets there. For more information, call 337-460-5511. The facility is located at 412 Bolivar Bishop Drive. You may also call if you need assistance with evacuating your pets.

Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office expressed to Singer and Merryville residents that if livestock wanders onto their property and they have the ability to safely keep them, they ask that they please do so and notify the sheriff’s office. Officials said it is likely they had to be “turned out” because of the fire.

ALERTS:

Sign up to receive alerts from the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office by texting your zip code to 888777.

Seventeen parishes in Louisiana - including Beauregard, Vernon, Sabine, Rapides, Grant and Avoyelles - have made emergency declarations due to the wildfires.

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