EAST FELICIANA PARISH —- The Louisiana Dept. Of Agriculture & Forestry says a truck with a “mechanical failure” is responsible for setting 10-15 fires between Clinton and the MS state line. Those fires occurred between Oct. 18 and Oct. 23rd.
According to the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office, the driver of that vehicle will not face any charges.
“An investigation conducted by LDAF’s southeast region forestry enforcement agents and East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives identified a motor vehicle as the likely cause of the fires. On October 24, 2024, the vehicle in question was located along with the registered owner. At this time, investigators believe a mechanical failure created an ignition source for the fires, unbeknownst to the driver,” read a news release.
East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Detective Kevin Garig told UWK that no arrests were made because the owner of the truck didn’t realize his vehicle was backfiring, which caused sparks and the subsequent fires. As long as the vehicle’s owner doesn’t take it back on the roadway until the truck is fixed, he won’t be charged with anything.
“If we felt that this was intentional then we would have towed his vehicle and kept it as evidence. But if you believe that this was an honest mistake, which we do, then there’s no reason to believe they won’t do the right thing and stay off the road,” Garig said. “And if something else happens then he’ll answer for that and we could potentially charge them.”
Garig also said the malfunctioning vehicle was a 2001 Ford F-250 and has an active inspection sticker from East Feliciana Parish.
Unlike other parishes like East and West Baton Rouge, Ascension, and a few others, East Feliciana Parish does not require emissions testing when getting a vehicle inspection sticker but Garig said the vehicle in question likely would have failed an emissions test if subjected to one.
Between 10 and 15 grass fires burned for nearly 4-5 hours on various days before they were under control. They burned across a five-mile stretch from East Feliciana to the Mississippi state line.
Sheriff Jeff Travis told UWK that the Oct. 23 fires began around 3 p.m. north of Clinton, along Highway 67. The fires were scattered throughout the area, extending to Highway 32, according to Sheriff Travis. They were under control by 7:30 p.m. the same night.
Sheriff Travis added that crews from Amite County and Gloster, Mississippi, assisted in fighting the fires. Inmates were also brought in to help control the flames. The Louisiana Department of Forestry was also on the scene assisting.
The area of East Feliciana where the fires burned is currently experiencing a moderate drought. Officials have been warning that dry, windy conditions across the region could increase the fire risk in South Louisiana.
East Feliciana Parish was also placed under a burn ban earlier this month.
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