NATCHITOCHES PARISH, La. (KALB) - The U.S. Forest Service has reported that two separate wildfires have been detected in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area near the Longleaf Scenic Byway, which is located on the Kisatchie Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest in Natchitoches Parish.Here is what the service has shared:As a result of these wildfires, the forest is closing the entire Wilderness Area and its associated trails (Backbone, High Ridge, and Turpentine Trails), the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area and...
NATCHITOCHES PARISH, La. (KALB) - The U.S. Forest Service has reported that two separate wildfires have been detected in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area near the Longleaf Scenic Byway, which is located on the Kisatchie Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest in Natchitoches Parish.
Here is what the service has shared:
As a result of these wildfires, the forest is closing the entire Wilderness Area and its associated trails (Backbone, High Ridge, and Turpentine Trails), the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area and the trailhead parking lot to the Caroline Dormon Trail off the Longleaf Scenic Byway.
One wildfire is currently estimated to be about seven acres, and the second is approximately 16 acres. The fires are about a mile apart and are believed to have started due to lightning strikes that occurred the weekend of August 2.
“The rugged terrain of the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area coupled with the extreme heat we have been having in Central Louisiana presents a complex fire problem,” said Lisa Lewis, the Forest Supervisor of the Kisatchie National Forest. “We will employ the strategies necessary to ensure firefighter and public safety while fighting these wildfires.”
The Kisatchie National Forest plans to suppress the wildfires utilizing strategies to ensure firefighter and public safety.
A Type 3 Incident Management Team will arrive on Thursday, August 7, to assist in the management of the fires.
“The two wildfires are being closely managed, and we have teams on the ground. Our number one priority is containing the fire and ensuring the safety of the firefighters,” said Stacy Bloomquist.
The Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area trails located within the Wilderness, the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area and the Caroline Dormon trailhead parking lot will be closed to the public until the area is safe to reopen.
Please refer to the map below for the designated closure area:
Use caution if traveling the Longleaf Scenic Byway and surrounding roads as fire personnel, heavy equipment, and smoke will be present in the area.
For more information, please contact the Supervisor’s Office at (318)473-7160.
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