As deadly wildfire tears across the Hawaiian island of Maui, Commissioner Mike Strain of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry warned that the same could happen in Louisiana.
“The conditions are, as we put it, severe for the spread of wildfire,” Strain told WWL’s Tommy Tucker. “And so, if you… if you’ve been cleaning up and you got a pile of debris out there, don’t burn it.”
In Hawaii, high winds from Hurricane Dora met unusually dry conditions caused by a summer of extreme heat to create devastating fires with 85 mph winds. Strain said this type of event has also occurred in the Pelican State.
“Probably 30 years ago, there was a massive fire that started in north to north central Louisiana and burned almost all the way to the Gulf,” he said, adding that it was due to an arsonist who lit the blaze in front of a tropical storm. People who need to burn can try to apply for a variance, but Strain suggests waiting: “You’re responsible once you light that match.”
According to the National Weather Service, excessive heat is expected to continue in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, with heat indices up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit Friday. While it is usually hot during August in the area, this is particularly dangerous.
“This is record heat. We’ve never seen heat – you know, we’re setting new records and everybody has really got to be careful,” said Strain. “I know there are people out there, especially middle age, that aren’t really paying attention or are getting heat stroke. It’s affecting every aspect of our lives.”
He said that temperatures will hopefully cool down next month, as we head into fall. Tucker and Strain also discussed a drought impacting the state and pests impacting pine trees. Listen to their full conversation here.
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