Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana Friday afternoon to get a firsthand look at the response to numerous wildfires in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. According to the U-S Drought Monitor, about 50-percent of the state is considered to be in extreme and exceptional drought. Edwards says the next chance for significant rain is Tuesday night…
The statewide burn ban was updated on Friday afternoon taking out the exceptions for prescribed burns, so agricultural burns are not allowed either.
An Independence man was arrested Friday and faces charges for the fire-raising on another’s land by criminal negligence and violation of the fire marshal’s order.
The Department of Agriculture says Ryan Miller faces charges in connection with a wildfire in Tangipahoa Parish near the city of Amite.
In Vernon Parish, Paul Nash has been arrested and charged with two counts of arson, and violation of the state’s burn ban. Sheriff Sam Craft says the suspect lit a brush pile in his backyard and it quickly got out of control.
Craft says there’s no excuse for setting a blaze in these conditions.
The United Way of Southwest Louisiana has launched a fund to help out everyone affected by the fires. CEO Denise Durel on where the money would immediately go.
Cut 12 (08) “…at initially.”
If you want to donate to the fire relief, go to UnitedwaySWLA.org or text FIRE SWLA to 40403.