Insurance Commissioner-elect Tim Temple says he’s not wasting any time since he became the lone candidate and he’s already getting a head start on the job. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Fire crews are working to contain a blaze at the Marathon Oil refinery on Airline Highway in Garyville. Officials say that the release and the fire are contained within the refinery’s property. No injuries are reported. It is unknown what led to the chemical release and fire.
State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says anyone who starts a fire will be held liable. Under the state burn ban, the public should not throw cigarettes out of a car window, use barbecue grills to cook outside, or burn debris. Strain says burning small debris fires could be extremely dangerous.
Violators could face a fine or jail time.
Extremely dry conditions have placed 50 percent of the state is currently in extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In extreme drought, trees are stressed, saltwater intrudes into rivers and water pressure is low. State climatologist Barry Keim says southwestern Louisiana is the driest part of the state.
The southern parts of the state were abnormally dry but were not in a drought this same week last year.