Near Cypress, LA (8/3/2024) – A Traffic Advisory was issued last week by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #1, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development responded to a commercial vehicle fire. The NATCOM 911 Center reported the fire on Interstate-49 southbound at milepost 124, south of Cypress.
Authorities arrived to find a box trailer hauling hundreds of square bales of hay on fire. Southbound traffic had to be diverted off the interstate. Fire personnel battled the blaze for several hours, eventually containing it.
Fire and DOTD officials off-loaded the hay into a nearby ditch to prevent further hazards. The interstate was later reopened to traffic. Since then, NATCOM 911 received multiple reports of fire and smoke in the area. Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #1 has been dispatched several times.
Fire units have sprayed water, but the hay continues smoldering. Heavy rain last week did not stop the smoldering hay. NPSO Deputies, NPFD #1, LSP, and La. DOTD monitor the area daily.
The hay may smolder for several more days or even weeks. We hope the smoldering stops soon. Most motorists are aware of the situation, but some are not. This traffic advisory aims to inform motorists that the situation is under continuous monitoring for public safety.
Related Article: Thunderstorms Spark Two Structure Fires in Natchitoches Parish; NPSO Shares NWS Lighting Safety Measures
