More Water Dumped on Louisiana Marsh Fire

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says National Guard helicopters have returned to fight a smoldering marsh fire in eastern New Orleans.

Landrieu said fire officials saw three hot spots when they flew over the marsh Saturday. The fire was dampened, but not extinguished, by rains from Tropical Storm Lee.

Landrieu’s office said in a news release that after the latest hot spots were observed, he requested state aerial support. The National Guard dispatched two helicopters with buckets to dump water on the fire.

The fire in a hard to reach marshy area is believed to have been started by lightning on Aug. 24. At its worst, it blanketed New Orleans with thick smoke at times, cutting visibility and prompting some to head for medical services with respiratory and other problems.