While the majority of these wildfires are relatively small in scale, the extent of their combined impact cannot be underestimated.
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The Tiger Island Fire
A single fire in western Louisiana exhibited explosive growth, expanding at a tremendous rate. Local authorities named it the Tiger Island Fire. Spanning an area of more than 16,000 acres, this fire straddled the border with Texas.
By Thursday morning, the fire was reported to be 85% contained, but volatile winds served as an accelerant for the flames.
By late afternoon, concerns were mounting that the fire could engulf Merryville, Louisiana in in Beauregard Parish.
Authorities issued a mandatory evacuation for the entire town with a population of 1,000. Buses gathered at the town hall for anyone without transportation to aid in the evacuation.
The wildfire was expected to reach the town limits by Thursday night.
Several areas of the state in addition to Merryville are still in the fire’s path and have been evacuated.
