Monday, Aug. 21

Red Flag Warnings went into effect for Southwest Louisiana due to extreme drought conditions, gradient winds, low humidity and dry vegetation. These warnings indicate extreme fire danger. During Red Flag Warnings, it is advised that no outdoor fires are lit and that citizens treat ignition sources — mufflers, cigarettes, outdoor welding, grinding or cutting — with extreme caution.

Tuesday, Aug. 22

Late Tuesday night, a wildfire ignited between Merryville and Singer. The fire grew and began burning on both sides of La. 110. The smoke could be seen and smelt as far as Jennings and Hathaway.

Due to the drought conditions, the flames traveled to treetops, as high as 300 feet. Due to the height of the flames and high wind speeds, the fire spread quickly.

Wednesday, Aug. 23

Residents on Neale Oil Road were issued a mandatory evacuation order Wednesday morning as the wildfire spread to the area.

Residents in the Town of Merryville and along La. 110, between Singer and Merryville, were issued voluntary evacuations.

By 7 a.m., the fire was only a half-mile away from the street; 10,000 to 12,000 acres were affected at this time.

At the same time, Gov. John Bel Edwards and GOHSEP activated the State Emergency Operations Center to efficiently coordinate and manage disaster planning, response and mitigation and quickly process local agencies’ requests for state support.

Two Blackhawk helicopters carrying 300 to 500 gallons of water were dispatched from Pineville through the Louisiana National Guard to carry the water. Four fixed-wing aircrafts — two from Abilene Texas and two from Oklahoma — are bringing the fire retardant.

The Louisiana Forestry Service provided two additional aircrafts for water drops and 12 dozers.

Strong winds made it difficult to contain the fire. As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the fire was 60 percent contained, and was described as “northerly tracked.”

At 9.m., the Beauregard Parish Sherriff’s Office issued a mandatory evacuation for Singer residents, including those on Fred Cloessner, Ira Cooley, John Bowman,, N. Newlin and Cemetery roads as a hot spot from the fire jumped across La. 27 and began to threaten homes.

Thursday, Aug. 24

The fire burning 13,000 acres of Beauregard Parish was named the “Tiger Island Fire” due to its proximity to the Tiger Island Hunting Club.

A smaller fire in Beauregard parish burned about 8 acres into Thursday morning, but was mostly contained, according to BPSO.

Aviation vehicles continued to dump water and fire retardant throughout the day.

Edwards’ office announced that FEMA approved the state’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration to financially support and reimburse costs associated with the Tiger Island Fire.

In the afternoon, BPSO said the fire was almost 85 percent contained, citing high winds and rekindling as factors that slowed containment efforts.

Friday evening, the fire jumped Neale Oilfield Road and began burning northbound in the direction of La. 190 West.

At 5 p.m., Merryville was placed under a mandatory evacuation. BPSO said the fire would reach town limits within one or two hours. Residents were told to “leave immediately.”

A mandatory evacuation was also ordered for those in the Junction community (between DeRidder and Merryville) on U.S. 90, Red Hill and Nichols Sibley area.

At this point, no structural losses or injuries were reported.

By Thursday, the Tiger Island Fire burned over 16,000 acres.

Friday, Aug. 25

Edwards flew to Beauregard Parish Friday morning to survey damage from the fire.

By Friday, the fire became more aggressive and was only 50 percent contained due to shifting winds and excess dry vegetation.

Mandatory evacuation for Merryville remained in order.

Additional mandatory evacuations for the Toledo Bend area within Sabine Parish and Bancroft, and unincorporated area of Beauregard Parish, and for all residents in the Bancroft community that were issued later that afternoon.

Residents were instructed to evacuate south on La. 389 towards DeQuincy.

As of 2 p.m. Friday afternoon, La. 27 from La. 110 (Singer) to Ball Road and La. 110 from La. 27 (Singer) to U.S. 190 (Merryville) have been closed by the Louisiana State Police.