7:00 PM UPDATE – Things have taken a turn for the worse in Beauregard Parish and residents in the town of Merryville are being asked to evacuate immediately as the Tiger Island Fire is within two miles of the town. A storm with 30-mile-per-hour winds only helped the fire spread. Authorities say the fire has grown more intense and is moving quickly.
Parts of Vernon Parish are also under an evacuation order and in Tangiphoa Parish crews are responding to a wildfire near the city of Amite.
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Authorities say the wildfire in Beauregard Parish is 85 percent contained, but evacuation orders remain in effect. Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Shannon Burgess said last night the blaze crossed over Highway 27.
“They were able to contain a fire that jumped a highway last night and was threatening a residential area. But they got it contained so no property was lost, no injuries, no loss of life,” said Burgess.
The wildfire in Beauregard Parish is known as the Tiger Island Fire due to the proximity of its origin near Tiger Island Hunting Club.
Since Wednesday, Burgess said the wildfire went from 65 percent contained to 85 percent. He said a sudden wind change caused the fire to jump from the west side of Highway 27 to the east.
“It was incredible the efforts between the state forestry, our local firefighters, and local law enforcement combined together, got that under control. Went door-to-door and got people out before anything could happen,” said Burgess.
Burgess said Highways 27 and 110 have reopened after a small fire on the east side of the parish, that destroyed eight acres, was contained.
The only structures that have been destroyed in the blaze are camps and deer stands. And while the increase in containment is welcome news, Burgess said the slightest spark could change things in an instant and he’s imploring residents to abide by the statewide burn ban.
“We still have people in the parish that are claiming that they’re unaware of the burn ban, but we’re still pushing that message out,” said Burgess.
National Guard helicopters will conduct water dumps in the area today. So far more than 13,000 acres have burned in Beauregard Parish.
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