Governor John Bel Edwards was in southwest Louisiana yesterday to get a first hand look at the response to numerous wild fires in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes. Edwards has activated about 100 National Guard soldiers to help in the fight against the wildfires, a situation he says is always changing.
Cut 15 (12) “…uncontained”
The town of Merryville and the Junction areas are under a mandatory evacuation as a result of the ongoing Tiger Island wildfire. Beauregard Parish Sheriff spokesperson Shannon Burgess says the fire came extremely close to the small town of Merryville, but a wind change pushed it away.
Cut 10 (10) “…in jeopardy.”

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An arrest has been made in connection to one of the wildfires that erupted near Rosepine in Vernon Parish Thursday. Sheriff Sam Craft says 59-year-old Paul Nash faces two felony arson charges for violating the state’s burn ban.
There have been reports of some individuals claiming they didn’t know the statewide burn ban was in effect. Craft says that’s no excuse.
Cut 8 (08) “…outside.”
A jury needed only six hours to return a unanimous guilty verdict against 39-year-old Joey Clement of Thibodaux for killing three teenagers in a fatal crash in 2021. Lafourche Parish Assistant District Attorney Shaun George says Clement was speeding and driving under the influence…
Cut 3 (09) “…whole night”
Authorities say Clement was driving between 88 and 93 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone when the fatal crash happened.