A third fire broke out near D’Iberville on Thursday, burning 25 acres and reaching 50 percent containment, according to Coker at 5:30 p.m. This fire did not appear to threaten any structures, she added.
The containment status of the Jackson County fires remains unclear, but Coker noted that fire crews were focused on protecting the homes at risk.
Winds seemed to intensify the flames on Thursday afternoon, according to Ledbetter. Authorities on the scene worked to keep traffic away from the fire, blocking several roads in the area.
Ashlee Likens, a resident across the bayou from Talla Pointe, recounted how her daughter got off the school bus Thursday afternoon, concerned that houses were catching fire. “All I saw was this huge plume of smoke,” Likens said. She then took her daughter to her mother’s house before returning to the neighborhood to help evacuate people to St. Martin High School.
Likens observed several residents spraying water on their roofs and lawns while others loaded their cars and moved pets to safety. However, she noted that the heavy traffic from onlookers trying to see the fire made it more difficult for some residents to evacuate.
“It’s a terrible sight,” she said. “It’s something you think you would only see in the movies.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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