Bogue Chitto State Park evacuated over nearby Washington Parish wildfire
FRANKLINTON, La. (WVUE) - About 30 camping guests were ordered to evacuate Bogue Chitto State Park on Monday (Aug. 21) as a wildfire crept to within three miles of the 1,786-acre preserve.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, who oversees the state park system, called the evacuation a “precautionary measure” that would be re-evaluated Tuesday morning.
Park officials said about 30 guests were “offered to relocate” to nearby state parks, and said the nearby fire has been contained.
“I want to reiterate that this move was a precautionary measure,” Nungesser said in a statement. “While the fire is under control, we will evaluate the situation in the morning and determine when park guests can safely return.”
Officials say that the fire was located along CC Road, near Bonner Creek Road.
The nearby wildfire triggered a multi-agency response that included all fire districts in Washington Parish, along with the Lee Road and Folsom Fire Departments from nearby St. Tammany Parish.
It’s been a busy month for responders in Washington Parish as crews have had to fight fires multiple times a week. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown issued a stern warning in a social media post on Monday, letting those in the area know that there will be zero tolerance for those that violate the state’s current burn ban.
“I’m not particularly in the business of fear-mongering the community to achieve a desired objective,” Brown said in a written statement. “However common sense has obviously escaped some of us and enough is enough.”
Brown said that anyone that intentionally starts a fire in his jurisdiction will be arrested immediately.
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