UPDATE: Landowner issued cease and desist

[useapen]

We have an update on the fire we reported on Thursday.

Several residents called KATC, asking for help because there was a huge
fire near La. 358 in St. Landry Parish. When we went out there, we learned
the State Fire Marshal was investigating.

The owner of the property told us he had hired a contractor to clear the
land so he could build a rice and crawfish farm on the property. He also
told us that the contractor had obtained permission from fire officials to
burn the brush cleared from the property.

KATC Investigates obtained a copy of the warning given to the landowner,
who is listed on the document as Cody Fortier of Opelousas.

The document states that investigators found "several burn piles ignited
and burning on property" at the location in St. Landry Parish. The warning
states that the fire was in violation of the state burn ban, and orders
that Fortier cease and desist "burning any material located at (Houston
Richard Road) in St. Landry Parish."

Cody Fortier's Linked In profile states that he is the owner of Rigid
Constructors, which was the name on the vehicles at the scene Thursday
afternoon. Rigid Constructors has been in the news lately in Lafayette; to
read our stories click here, here and here.

https://www.katc.com/news/st-landry-parish/update-land-owner-issued-cease-
and-desist