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Louisiana Statewide Burn Ban: The state of Louisiana has declared a statewide burn ban to include any open flame outdoors. The message from the State Fire Marshal’s Office is “don’t burn anything” until further notice. Citations and arrests ARE happening across this state in partnership with local and state law enforcement agencies.

Tiger Island Fire acreage: 31342

Hwy 113 Fire acreage: 7031

Lions Camp Road Fire acreage: 579

Elizabeth Fire acreage: 943

Total Personnel: 324

Personnel and Equipment:  

Tiger Island: 1 Type-1 Crew; 5 Helicopters, 2 fixed-wing aircraft, 19 Type-6 Engines, 15 Type-2 Tractor Plow Units, 5 Type-3 Tractor Plow Units, 4 Dozers, 7 Water Tenders and 5 Ambulances.

Hwy 113: 1 Type-1 Crew; 9 dozers; 4 Type-6 Engines

Lions Camp Road: 1 Type-6 Engine

Elizabeth: 1 Type-6 Engine; 8 dozers

Additional support is being provided to all fires by the National Guard, Parish authorities, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal Team, Sheriff’s offices, and the Offices of Emergency Preparedness.

Tiger Island Fire: The Tiger Island Fire was first reported on Tuesday, August 22nd. The fire is located east of Merryville, south of Hwy 190, SW of DeRidder and North of Singer. The fire is burning in pine plantations of multiple ages. Heavy residual fuels because of Hurricane Laura in 2020 exist and contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Operations:  The Tiger Island Fire is currently 50% contained. On Friday, crews found increased needle cast across the fire area which can contribute to the fire reburning when dry needles fall onto areas of heat.  Heat was detected on the interior northwest side of the fire near Nichols-Sibley Road moving south, and on the interior east side of the fire near Neale Oilfield Road, south of the railroad. Crews worked on strengthening and improving the containment line in those areas and continued to mop up around the fire perimeter. Today, crews will continue to mop up all perimeter lines of the fire, in particular along Neale Oilfield Road near Merryville and along the hardwood creek bottom on the northern perimeter of the fire.  Crews will be reinforcing dozer lines on the northwest side of the fire where heat was detected yesterday, keeping the fire perimeter south of Shinn Road. 

Hwy 113 Fire: Located 14 miles northwest of Oakdale. This fire is burning in loblolly pines and hardwoods.

Operations:  The Hwy 113 Fire is currently 50% contained. Yesterday, aerial support slowed fire growth. The National Guard constructed dozer line along the north side of the fire. Today, crews will continue to install dozer line around the fire perimeter. The structure protection group will be working with local and state partners today on the fire to respond to structure protection needs.

Lions Camp Road: Five miles northwest of Leesville. This fire is burning is southern rough, timber and brush.

Operations: Today, crews will be working to patrol existing firelines and will identify areas to improve these containment lines and begin mop up to maintain the current fire perimeter. 

Elizabeth: Located in southwest Rapides Parish.

Operations: The Elizabeth Fire is currently 50% contained. Yesterday, there was active fire growth on the northwest side of the fire. Crews will be constructing and improving containment lines today and patrolling for hot spots.

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Higher than normal air temperatures with a high heat index are expected today.  Temperatures may reach 100 degrees, with humidity levels in the low 30’s.  Winds are expected from the east/northeast with gusts of up to 18 mph. The increased humidity may bring scattered showers, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gusty and erratic winds by this afternoon. Dry fuel conditions and increased needle cast, combined with gusty winds, can increase reburn potential in fire areas and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior.  The erratic winds can come from variable directions and could push a seabreeze into the area this evening. 

Air Quality: All four fires are projected to produce low levels of smoke. If there is active fire behavior with fire progression, or new starts, there could be high levels of smoke for short durations in the vicinity of the fire. The thunderstorms with gusty and erratic winds expected today could move smoke in any direction and disperse it. Smoke from the Tiger Island Fire will be most apparent in the Merryville area. Smoke from Elizabeth and Hwy 113 fires will be heaviest in the Pitkin area. Smoke from the Lions Camp Rd Fire may move across Vernon Lake and toward the Sabine River. Expect increased smoke at Lake Charles with E winds due to a new start ESE of town. Smoke should decrease after sea breezes start. Lafayette and Leesville should have less smoke with the ENE winds. For near time air quality information see EPA's Fire and Smoke Map: 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. This is necessary to protect aerial operations. If you fly, we can’t. If there are drone intrusions into the Temporary Flight Restrictions, we must ground all aircraft. 

Evacuations: Updates on evacuations and shelters for the Tiger Island Fire can be found on the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/beauregardsheriff.