Motorists in Livingston Parish faced with heavy smoke and traffic delays during 10-acre grass fire [Video]

ALBANY – Nearly ten acres of land in Livingston Parish was charred in a fire on Sunday, one of five reported wildfires around the state.

The fire moved along the side of I-12, shrouding the highway in smoke and causing traffic delays. 

Five fire departments were eventually involved in extinguishing it, according to the Albany Police Department’s Facebook page.

Mike Strain, commissioner of agriculture and forestry, said flames spread easily because of dry, windy conditions over the weekend.

Investigators believe Sunday’s fire in Albany started with a burning debris pile. If the person who started the fire can be identified, criminal charges are possible, Strain said.

“We have a timber enforcement division which has arson investigators. We work diligently to find those persons responsible,” Strain said.

When a person starts a fire on their own land and it spreads to adjacent properties, the person could be charged with fire-raising by …