LAFOURCHE PARISH, La. (WGNO) — Several Lafourche Parish schools and roads were closed due to smoke from marsh fires on Thursday, Dec. 7.
Initially, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office announced that U.S. Highway 90 was closed between Louisiana Highway 316 (Bayou Blue Road) and Louisiana Highway 182 (Houma/Raceland Exit 210). Also, Louisiana Highway 182 was closed between Louisiana Highway 653 and Louisiana Highway 660 (Coteau Road).
Though, around 10:15 a.m., Louisiana State Police announced that both roadways had reopened.
This is the second time this week that portions of Highway 90 and LA Highway 182 were closed as a result of the fires.
Due to intense early morning fog continuing to close multiple roads, it doesn’t appear that the marsh fire is letting up.
One Lafourche Parish resident, who lives near a detour, says she hadn’t seen so much traffic in her area in a long time.
“Just going crazy. Everywhere there were just cops going and we were out here putting stuff out. It looked like a hurricane, you know an evacuation for a hurricane,” says the resident.
Assistant Fire Chief Gregg Falgout’s crew has worked to contain the fire since Monday, doing what they call “back-burning” to keep it controlled.
However, on Thursday, it progressed toward the highway again.
“The winds had quit blowing and I guess the humidity, the moisture held the smoke to ground in that short section of the highway. Hopefully, it calms down enough so we won’t have problems like we are having,” says Falgout.
With several school closures also occurring, one resident explains the smoke in the air is nothing new to the parish.
“I’ve always seen it I mean what are they going to do? I have been seeing this for fifty years. When it’s cold it creates a lot of fog plus we have the sugar mill running at the same time which steam makes more fog,” says Lafourche Parish resident Barry Foret.
US 90 and Highway 182 are open but there is no guarantee the fog will not return. As they work to put the fire out as soon as possible, the chief admits it’s hard to tell when the fire will be completely out.
“Most of the area has burned out on the westbound side of the highway. So, we are shooting to say that it’s hopefully over. I couldn’t tell you if it’s contained because most of that area is unreachable,” says Falgout.
As of now, schools will be back open Friday, Dec. 8, since all roads in the Raceland area are open. Be sure to check your child’s school website for updates.
Troopers will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day. Check the DOTD’s website for updates.
The following schools were closed on Thursday:
- Raceland Lower Elementary
- Raceland Upper Elementary
- Raceland Middle
- Bayou Blue Elementary
- Bayou Blue Upper Elementary
- Bayou Blue Middle
- Central Lafourche High School.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
