4 p.m. update: All highways have reopened; fire under control
3 p.m. update: Highway 63 between 444 and 42 is still shut down at this time. Please use alternate routes and we continue to contain and extinguish.
LIVINGSTON — Colyell Volunteer Firefighters and French Settlement Volunteer Firefighters are on the scene of a wildfire off of Hwy. 63 near Colyell.
The fire started around noon near Hwy. 63 and Hwy. 444. Hwy. 63 north of Hwy. 444 is shut down due heavy smoke and low visibility, according to LPSO.
The Department of Forestry confirms that a “timber fire” is burning in the area. UWK is told that no evacuation orders have been issued.
Despite reports on social media that this was a “controlled burn”, sources tell UWK that is not the case. So far, no homes are being threatened by the fire. French Settlement and Doyle schools could have to deal with detoured busses. UWK has reached out to Livingston Parish schools for more information.
Posts on Facebook show thick, heavy smoke in the area. You could also see embers blazing near the roadway.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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