Officials in Louisiana have concluded that the recent wildfire, the largest in the state’s history, was caused by arson.
The Tiger Island fire has ravaged Louisiana for nearly two weeks.
The wildfire, which broke out in southwestern Louisiana on August 22, has damaged nearly 50 square miles so far.
On Saturday, it was determined by the state’s Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) to have been the result of arson, the agency announced in a press release.
“LDAF investigators, Louisiana State Fire Marshal deputies, and the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives are actively investigating this matter,” the release stated.
At least one person has died, as four wildfires rage across Louisiana, including the so-called Tiger Island Fire, the largest in state history, which has forced 12,000 residents to evacuate. https://t.co/dpFtfXyGEO pic.twitter.com/AoXFIcivwq
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 28, 2023
The fire, which has burned a staggering 33,000 acres, has destroyed approximately 20 buildings and forced the evacuation of the entire town of Merryville on August 24, CBS News reported.
Efforts to contain the fire allowed residents to cautiously make their way back to their homes this week.
Volunteer firefighter Gabe Kemp remarked they were “fortunate [to] still have a