Single Publication

Lafitte Fire Update 

November 4, 2023  
Fire Information Phone: (504) 382-0291 
Email: Meredith_Hardy@nps.gov 
Incident Commander: Fulton Jeansonne (11/4-11/5), Ruben Pedraza (11/6) 
 

Size: 147 acres | Containment: 90% | Total Personnel: 54 | Location: 0.5 miles north of Jean Lafitte, 1.5 miles north of Barataria | County: Jefferson | Start Date: October 17, 2023 | Cause: Undetermined    

This will be the last Fire Update published by the Incident Management Team. Questions or concerns regarding this fire should be directed to Meredith Hardy of the National Park Service. 

Jean Lafitte, LA – Fire officials have nearly accomplished the incident objectives for the Lafitte Fire in the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Fire containment has reached 90% and is contained in the 147-acre footprint.  

This week- The Incident Management Team will be in place until Sunday, November 5th when downsizing should be completed and transition to a local Incident Commander (IC4) will take place.  

Smoke persists in the general area and is coming from other south Louisiana fires. No smoke nor heat exists in the Lafitte Fire area, however firefighters continue to patrol and monitor for any activity. Backhaul of hose, sprinklers and other equipment is ongoing. Minimal resources will remain on the fire to ensure it remains out. Firefighters who are no longer needed on the Lafitte Fire are getting reassigned to other fires in the Eastern and Southern Regions.   

Special Note- As hunting season continues and cooler temperatures prevail, it will be critical that locals, accustomed to having warming fires while hunting, curtail this activity as fire danger will remain high in the region until rains arrive. Hunting and firearm discharge near the Lafitte Fire is discouraged as there will be firefighters patrolling the area for a couple of more weeks. 

Weather- Northeast winds of 5 to 10 mph can be expected both today and on Sunday. Temperatures will reach in the high 70s this weekend. Relative humidity will remain in the 55 to 60 percent range on Saturday, but a push of drier air into the area on Sunday will result in lower humidity of 35 to 40 percent during the afternoon hours. Tonight, humidity will recover to near 100 percent, but conditions do not look favorable for fog development.  

Firewise/Wildland Fire Prevention- This online resource is designed for homeowners to help them prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments. Embers are burning pieces of airborne wood and/or vegetation that can be carried more than a mile through the wind and can cause spot fires and ignite homes, debris and other objects.  

Firewise: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire 

Lafitte Fire Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/lajep-lafitte 

National Park Service Information: https://www.facebook.com/JeanLafitteNPS