The stubborn marsh fire that has been burning for months in eastern New Orleans has become more of a problem for New Orleanians, thanks to a shift in the wind that has blown smoke over the city for the past couple of days.
Many residents are wondering why this particular wildfire has persisted for so long. The New Orleans Fire Department on Friday issued a list of frequently asked questions and their answers:
1. Why aren’t there any air drops of water?
We have been informed by wildfire experts that air dropping water on this type of fire would be ineffective because the water would only disperse on the surface and not saturate the ground to the depths of the fire.
2. Is the fire being on private property relevant to firefighting efforts? Why does that matter?
The fire in New Orleans East is adjacent to Bayou Sauvage which is a federal reserve. The fire being on private property means that is a Local/State issue, not Federal. However, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and US Army Corps of Engineers are providing expertise and assistance where possible.
3. Has the area been cleared so that the fire is now accessible?
The mention of limited accessibility to the area of the fire revolves around several challenges. The area falls outside of the City fire hydrant system, there are pipelines and canals running across the property, and additional precautions must also be taken to evaluate ground stability when moving from one area to the next, due the fire burning underground
4. Has the debris been cleared from the canal that will allow for flooding the underground fire and root system?
The City drainage system is designed to pump water out, not in. Additionally, even if it were possible, such an operation could also flood neighboring properties and critical infrastructure.
The fire department concludes its FAQ saying "We are consulting with our partners on all available options, but currently the most effective method of attacking the underground fire is to continue flowing water onto the property and saturating the ground. It is effective, but it will be a long slow process."
