SABINE PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to evacuate due to a forest fire in the Mt. Carmel community.
The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office says a wildfire east of Florien has been contained, but wind direction can cause the fire to ignite again, and the situation is still very serious.
“Residents in the Plain View community are urged to evacuate the area. The fire is traveling southeast from the Mt. Carmel cutoff and Hwy 188 area. This is a dangerous situation. Please avoid the area,” said the SPSO on Monday afternoon.
The Louisiana Department of Forestry will be operating through the night as they clear lanes to keep the fire contained. Law enforcement is also remaining on the scene during the night as they patrol the area in search of flare-ups.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchel asks citizens to keep those who have been affected by the disaster in their prayers. He also thanks area churches and volunteers who gave aid throughout the afternoon.
Earlier on Monday, authorities said multiple fire departments and the Louisiana Department of Forestry and Agriculture were on the scene of the forest fire. The fire reportedly broke out around 2:14 p.m. near Corleyville Road.
Officials are still asking residents in the area to evacuate.
“Structures and homes near Mt. Carmel cutoff and surrounding areas are in danger,” the SPSO said in a Facebook post before the fire was controlled.
According to SPSO, there were several uncontained wildfires in the parish simultaneously, and the most severe was west of Florien, spreading south.
The following areas were evacuated according to the SPSO:
- Mt. Carmel Cut-Off
- Lee Jordan Road
- Sonny Road
- Monroe Skinner Road
- Mt. Carmel Community
- Landon Road
La. Hwy 118 was closed for emergency traffic only. Authorities asked drivers to avoid the area.
The fires started less than an hour before Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for all of Louisiana, as all Louisiana Parishes are currently under a burn ban.
This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
