State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the Louisiana Forestry Association continues to offer a reward of up to $15 thousand for tips leading to the arrest of arsonists in the state’s three largest wildfires. He says Laura McLaughlin of Pitkin was arrested for setting the Highway 113 fire which started in Rapides and spread into Vernon Parish.
“We did get a tip and then it was corroborated and then we made the arrest. And this was more than four lights and that resulted in seven thousand acres and home being destroyed.”
The total suppression cost associated with these fires is estimated at $2.7 million.
Strain in the last six weeks, five arrests have been made but there has not been an increase in calls despite the reward. He says the reward remains until everyone is held liable for committing such a criminal act.
“So far we have not seen an uptick in the number of calls coming in to give us assistance with these individuals but we are going to continue til every individual responsible for these wildfires is brought to justice.”
The crime of simple arson could carry a fine of up to $15,000 and imprisonment of not more than 15 years. If the damage is less than $500, the offender will be fined or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both. Strain says the state is still experiencing dry conditions.
“We’re urging everyone, if the burn ban is lifted in specific areas, whatever you’re doing please exercise extreme caution cause it is dry and the areas are conducive to wildfires.”
Anyone with information about the Tiger Island fire or any other arson-related wildfires should call the State Fire Marshal, or local law enforcement.
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