Louisiana National Guard aviators conduct water-bucket missions assisting the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Louisiana State Fire Marshal office and local officials in combating the wildfires in Beauregard Parish, on Aug. 23. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Longstreet)
Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said last week he will ask the legislature for money to buy more firefighting equipment, including a tanker airplane that can drop water on blazes from above. Such an asset would make Louisiana unique among its Southern neighbors and comparably sized states, which rely entirely on outside help for their airborne assistance.
The Louisiana Department of Agricult...
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