On the afternoon of Nov. 5, four fires broke out in separate wooded areas on the 60,000-acre West Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in Allen Parish.
The cause of the fires is suspected to be arson and is under investigation by the Allen Parish Fire Marshall’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division.
The initial investigation and response to the fires by the LDWF Enforcement Division resulted in the recovery of an incendiary device found near where the fires were started. This evidence will be turned over to the Fire Marshall’s Office.
The LDWF Enforcement Division is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires. Anyone with information may call the LDWF Enforcement Division 24 hour toll free number, 1-800-442-2511, or Capt. Jubal Marceaux at the LDWF Lake Charles Office, 337-491-2599 or jmarceaux@wlf.louisiana.gov. Callers may remain anonymous.