Natchitoches Fire District 7 responded to the Florien area of Sabine Parish to assist with combating a major woods fire. District 7 sent an engine, a tanker and a brush truck as part of a joint task force to help monitor the fire that began on Aug. 14.
Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell provided an update on Aug. 15 at 9:45 AM, stating the fires east of Florien have been contained. The preliminary cause of the fire appears to be a spark from a downed utility pole on Mount Carmel Cutoff.
Reports show an estimated 2,100 acres burned, including 10 inhabited homes, 8 other structures, and some vehicles lost in the fires. There has been no loss of life and no injuries.
The LA Department of Agriculture and Forestry sent aircraft to monitor the situation and assess the damage.
There have been some minor flare-ups, but no threat to life or property exists at this time. Changes in the weather and winds could cause more flare-ups in the area.
The current state-wide burn ban remains in effect and will be for several weeks under these dry conditions. There is to be no outside burning. Citations will be issued to anyone caught burning anything in any way. It is a very dangerous and dry situation everywhere right now.
