Tania Dall / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS -- Wildfires continued to burn in New Orleans East on Tuesday, forcing Gov. Bobby Jindal to call in the Louisiana National Guard.
"We can't breathe. Our eyes were burning. The ashes were coming over. Hot ashes hitting us," said New Orleans East resident Zina Edwards, explaining the last few days at home.
Tuesday was the first smoke-free day at the Chateau d'Orleans Apartments since a 1,300-acre wildfire erupted in Edwards and her sister's back yard.
"My babies next door have asthma. They had to stay inside and couldn't play," said Lisa Hills.
The sisters have been concerned about the fire spreading to their home. Both were happy to see black hawk helicopters with the National Guard start making air drops over the flames.
They were not alone.
"That was wonderful. We were totally surprised to see them come in here," said Pon Dixson, with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Joining the wildlife agency are a total of nine helicopters equipped with helibuckets. The large buckets that can carry a pick-up truck size amount of water are being filled in nearby canals.
By sunset on Tuesday, the choppers dumped more than 116,000 gallons of water on the trouble spots, which include a 1,300-acre woodlands fire and a new 20-acre marsh fire that started today. Firefighters have also been working on the ground to help contain the flames.
"I'm glad that helicopters are coming out to spread water or whatever they've gotta do. We got scared over here," said New Orleans East resident Lisa Hill.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the wildfires are still burning and will continue to do so for several more days.
"1,300 acres have burned so far, and they estimate another 1,000 acres could burn by the time this thing is put out," said Dixson, who said the marsh fire may have been caused by arson, though officials have said lightning is another possibility.
While the fire fight continues by air and land, neighbors are hoping that all the smoke and worry will end quickly.
"I'm glad they've got some kinda control over it and the choppers are flying and it'll hopefully be out in a couple of days," said Hill.
The National Guard helicopters are expected to return on Wednesday to make more air drops. A spokesman says the unit just returned from helping with Hurricane Irene operations in the Carolinas.
