ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — A section of Interstate 12 has been shut down amid heavy smoke from a raging forest fire near the community of Lacombe, forcing drivers to seek alternate routes and raising concerns about fire safety across southeastern Louisiana.
According to the St. Tammany Parish government, the closure affects I-12 from Highway 434 to Highway 59, where low visibility caused by thick smoke has made travel hazardous. The fire, described as a large woods blaze, ignited near Fish Hatchery Road, prompting immediate action from local fire crews battling the flames under challenging conditions.
Officials with St. Tammany Fire District 11 highlighted the perilous weather contributing to the blaze's intensity. "Gusty winds, low humidity and dry conditions are creating critical fire weather conditions," the district stated in a public advisory. They urged residents to refrain from any outdoor burning to prevent further outbreaks.
A red flag warning remains in effect through Monday evening, signaling heightened risk for wildfires across the region. Such warnings are issued when weather patterns combine to make fires more likely to start and spread rapidly, a scenario all too familiar in Louisiana's piney woods during late summer and early fall.
The fire's proximity to Lacombe, a small unincorporated community in St. Tammany Parish, has not yet threatened homes or structures directly, according to initial reports. However, the smoke plume has drifted across the highway, grounding air traffic in some areas and complicating evacuation efforts if the situation escalates.
In neighboring Tangipahoa Parish, authorities have declared a burn ban to curb the spread of similar fires. This measure, effective immediately, prohibits all open burning, including yard waste and campfires, as dry underbrush fuels potential hotspots throughout the parishes.
Local residents near the fire site expressed relief at the quick response but voiced worries about the ongoing dry spell. One Lacombe resident, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the unfolding emergency, said, "We've had warnings like this before, but seeing the highway closed hits close to home—literally."
St. Tammany Parish officials echoed these sentiments in a Facebook post, noting the fire's start near Fish Hatchery Road and emphasizing community vigilance. The post advised drivers to check real-time updates from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development before heading out.
Historically, St. Tammany Parish has seen its share of wildfires, particularly in the Fontainebleau State Park area and surrounding forests, where prescribed burns are sometimes used to manage fuel loads. This incident adds to a string of fire-related disruptions in the state, following a series of blazes earlier in the year that scorched thousands of acres in northern Louisiana.
Firefighters from multiple districts, including St. Tammany Fire District 11, are on the scene, employing ground crews and aerial support where possible. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, though officials suspect a combination of natural ignition and human activity amid the dry conditions.
As the blaze continues, traffic on parallel routes like Highway 59 has increased, leading to minor delays for commuters traveling between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The Louisiana State Police have deployed additional patrols to manage detours and ensure safety.
Broader implications extend to environmental concerns, with smoke potentially affecting air quality in the New Orleans metro area. The National Weather Service has forecasted continued gusty winds through the weekend, which could push the fire line further if not contained soon.
Experts from the Louisiana Forestry Commission, while not directly quoted on this fire, have previously warned of an above-average fire season due to persistent drought conditions across the Gulf South. In a recent report, they noted that over 1,200 wildfires had already burned more than 15,000 acres statewide this year, underscoring the need for heightened preparedness.
Residents are encouraged to download apps from local news outlets like WGNO for updates on the fire and related weather alerts. Subscriptions to newsletters can provide timely notifications, helping families stay informed during this critical period.
Looking ahead, containment efforts will likely intensify as conditions stabilize post-red flag warning. Parish leaders are coordinating with state agencies to assess damage and support recovery, while reminding the public that prevention—through avoiding sparks and reporting suspicious activity—remains key to mitigating future risks in this fire-prone region.