State

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)

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)

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Louisiana, like other Southern states, relies on outside airborne help to fight wildfires

Greg LaRose / Louisiana Illuminator
Friday, September 8, 2023
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.
An image of a wildfire in Beauregard Parish from drone video taken Saturday. (Louisiana State Police)

An image of a wildfire in Beauregard Parish from drone video taken Saturday. (Louisiana State Police)

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Poor air quality from Louisiana wildfires could become more common

Drew Costley / Verite/Louisiana Illuminator
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Jeff Parker stayed inside his St. Roch home as much as possible the last week of August, as people all around New Orleans reported smelling smoke in the air.

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DOTD asking for comments about EV charging stations

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) is preparing to administer the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging station infrastructure throughout the state, made possible through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed into law by President...
Wilted plants show signs of lacking the water necessary for healthy growth. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

Wilted plants show signs of lacking the water necessary for healthy growth. (Photos by Heather Kirk-Ballard/LSU AgCenter)

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Dos and don’ts in the garden during droughts

Heather Kirk-Ballard / LSU AgCenter horticulturist
Friday, September 1, 2023
It’s beginning to look like fall all around us as plants go into survival mode during this heat wave. Temperatures continue to soar, and the rain is nowhere to be found.
Louisiana Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain views smoldering trees from a portion of the Tiger Island fire in Beauregard Parish on Aug. 23. (Jenn Finley/La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry)

Louisiana Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain views smoldering trees from a portion of the Tiger Island fire in Beauregard Parish on Aug. 23. (Jenn Finley/La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry)

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Louisiana ag commissioner warns of continued wildfire risk

Greg LaRose / Louisiana Illuminator
Friday, September 1, 2023
The Louisiana official who leads the state’s wildfire fighting efforts says he will ask the legislature for more resources next year, including additional personnel and a tanker plane that can drop water on blazes.

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UL Lafayette to host Science Day for high schoolers curious about majors, careers

Harlan Kirgan
Friday, September 1, 2023
Hundreds of prospective scientists will learn about what being a science major at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is like during Science Day 2023. UL Lafayette’s Ray P. Authement College of Sciences will host this year’s Science Day from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 20 on campus.

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Small Business Summit planned in Lafayette

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Registration is open for the 2023 Louisiana Small Business Summit, the annual Louisiana Economic Development event that connects small business leaders with an array of resources available to them from across the state.
Soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 528th Engineer Battalion use bulldozers to move burnt forestry and clear a firebreak near Pirate’s Cove in Florien on Aug. 29,. The Pirates Cove area caught fire on Aug. 25 and Louisiana Army National Guard aviators helped with the initial response. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis)

Soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 528th Engineer Battalion use bulldozers to move burnt forestry and clear a firebreak near Pirate’s Cove in Florien on Aug. 29,. The Pirates Cove area caught fire on Aug. 25 and Louisiana Army National Guard aviators helped with the initial response. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis)

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La. Guard aviators, engineers execute rapid response to Pirates Cove wildfires

Capt. Peter Drasutis / La. National Guard Public Affairs Office
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Louisiana National Guard aviation and engineering assets were activated to assist the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal office in fighting wildfires on Aug. 23 and 24.

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LDH urges residents to take air quality precautions due to fires

Harlan Kirgan
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Extreme heat and drought have contributed to wildfires throughout Louisiana, which can negatively impact air quality. LDH is urging residents in areas where wildfires are burning or air quality is otherwise poor to take precautions to minimize the impact poor air quality can have on their health.