Department of Agriculture and Forestry, State of Louisiana - Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry wildland firefighting crews are currently battling a wildfire located in Caddo Parish north of Vivian.

The fire was reported around 2 p.m. and had already burned an estimated 250 acres by 5 p.m., Strain said.

The LDAF command post has been located near Crosscreek Road and Old Atlanta Road (Atlanta-Vivian Road).

Seven LDAF crews are plowing firelines to contain the fire while LDAF planes are providing aerial support. A ground crew is comprised of a bulldozer and operator, and a ground crewmember called a swamper.

A fireline, also called a firebreak, is a wide path plowed by bulldozers and cleared of flammable material to stop the spread of wildfires.

Local governmental authorities, including the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and local fire departments are also on the scene. Some evacuations have been ordered.

Caddo Parish has been under an outdoor burn ban notice since Aug. 24.  Other parishes under outdoor burn ban orders are Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne, DeSoto, Evangeline, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, St. Landry, Union, Vermilion, Vernon, Webster and Winn.