Natchitoches Parish Fire District 4

10/31/2026

Halloween at the Walking Track is ON!
But in the Fire Station. About ready to start, come on out!

10/21/2026

Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District 4 brought the annual October Fire Safety and Prevention message to the Pre-K through 3rd grade students at Provencal Elementary School Student on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Firefighters Kasey Miller and Coltin McGee demonstrated the protective gear worn and the kids got some “hands-on” time with various tools and equipment used in operations.

Thanks to the Natchitoches City Fire Department for the use of their Fire Safety trailer as an aid to reinforce the important lessons of the visit; the need for having an evacuation plan, Know your Address, How to Call 911, and the most taught lesson since its first documented use in 1973; Stop, Drop & Roll. Everyone had fun and it’s very possible that you may see future firefighters behind those smiles!

Captain Ricky Coe, Firefighters Gary Robertson, Melanie Luman, Bryan Miller, Dan Gongre and Chief James Dupree were also on hand to assist and pass out Fire Prevention materials.

10/16/2026

Our prayers and condolences to her family and colleagues.

Wildlands firefighters are the unseen heros, no big red trucks with flashing lights and blaring sirens rushing through busy streets, often working remote sites and relying on their own 2 feet and strength to carry tools and gear while contending with smoke, fire, hazardous terrain, frightened wildlife and weather conditions that can change in an instant bringing a deadly roaring wall of fire on them.

It is with very heavy hearts that we share the news that on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, wildland firefighter, Kaitlyn “KK” Gallagher, 24, of Alexandria, Louisiana, died in the line of duty when she was struck by a tree while responding to the Broken Creek Fire, a 10-acre wildfire now contained, which was in Rapides Parish on the Kisatchie National Forest.

“As we experience this terrible tragedy, our prayers are with KK’s family, friends, and all who knew her,” said Lisa Lewis, Forest Supervisor. “The loss of KK is deeply felt throughout the Forest Service, the entire wildland fire community, and our local community. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone who was touched by her life.”

KK joined the U.S. Forest Service as a Wildland Firefighter Apprentice in 2025. She spent two summers on the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming, serving on both engine and wildland fire modules. While working for the Kisatchie National Forest, KK assisted with prescribed burns and responding to wildfires. Her joy for life, heart for service, and love of outdoors made her a valued member of the U.S. Forest Service. Her family stated that KK’s passion was sharing her faith in Jesus, a passion she lived out while helping shape young lives as a Youth Leader at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church and Girls Basketball and Softball coach at Holy Savior Menard High School, both in Alexandria.

The Forest Service is providing support to KK’s family, crewmates and other affected employees. The Forest Service Honor Guard is standing with KK’s family and providing a flag memorial service honoring her.

10/15/2026

🔥🔥 Fire danger expected to be HIGH. 🔥🔥
A RED FLAG WARNING has been issued.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport LA has issued a Red Flag Warning in effect from 10 AM Friday to 1 AM CDT Saturday.

Report any fire to 911 immediately!

EXTREME FIRE DANGER DUE TO GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND CRITICALLY DRY FUELS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST LOUISIANA.

WINDS...North winds 10 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimum Relative Humidity between 25 to 35 percent.

IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly.

The Burn Ban is STILL IN EFFECT!!

🔥🔥🔥 Outdoor burning prohibited! 🔥🔥🔥

10/12/2026

Congratulations to Chief John Wynn, Jr. and the City of Natchitoches Fire Department For receiving a Class 1 rating , the highest protection level, from the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana!

Fire departments across Louisiana are rated on several criteria culminating in a final score: 1 being the best to 10.

NFD is one of approximately 20 fire departments in Louisiana to hold a Class 1.

09/13/2026

Saturday afternoon FD4 responded to a report of hay bales on fire. Multiple engines, tankers and crews worked to contain the fire which had involved approximately 120 rolls of hay and was close to adjacent structures.
Located in a very rural area, the closest fire hydrants were several miles away. The firefighters used a strategic resource, the folding portable water tank, to keep the engines flowing water constantly. Tankers made multiple trips to the closest hydrant to fill up, then once back on scene, dumped the water into the portable tank from which the pumpers drafted (used vacuum suction to lift the water into the pump).
Crews worked and finally had the area safe to leave around 9:30 last night.

(Photos courtesy of Firefighter Coltin McGee.)

09/13/2026

09/12/2026

NPSO: JOINT EFFORTS LEAD TO RESCUE OF LOST HIKER IN KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST

Kisatchie National Forest— A coordinated response by multiple agencies led to the safe rescue of a 75-year-old hiker who became lost Friday afternoon in the Kisatchie National Forest, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

At approximately 3:37 p.m., Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies equipped with all-terrain vehicles, along with members of Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #4 and their all-terrain equipment, were dispatched by the NATCOM 911 Center to a report of a lost hiker in a wooded area off Sheard Road near the Longleaf Trail in the Kisatchie National Forest in Natchitoches Parish.

Deputies learned the lost hiker was approximately 75 years old and had an existing medical condition. Temperatures in the area were approximately 96 degrees at the time, creating additional concern for the hiker’s health and safety.

NATCOM 911 Center telecommunications specialists were able to obtain information that helped identify an approximate location of the hiker.

A Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office drone was placed on standby to assist with aerial search efforts if needed.

Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #1 and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS also responded to the area to assist.

Search efforts began after responding personnel obtained a clothing description, identifying information and medical history of the lost hiker.

At approximately 4:35 p.m., members of the Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #4 Search Team located the hiker in good condition.

The hiker was transported out of the wooded area and brought to a waiting NRMC EMS unit, where he was medically assessed and released without the need for transport to a hospital.

Sheriff Stuart Wright thanked all agencies and personnel involved in the successful search and rescue.

“This was an excellent example of teamwork and cooperation among our first responders,” Sheriff Wright said. “We are extremely thankful this gentleman was located safely, especially considering the high temperatures and his medical condition. I want to thank our deputies, NATCOM 911 telecommunications specialists, Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection Districts #1 and #4, NRMC EMS and everyone involved in this response. Their quick actions, communication and coordination helped bring this incident to a successful conclusion.”

Sheriff Wright also reminds residents and visitors to use caution when hiking or participating in outdoor activities, particularly during periods of extreme heat.

HIKING SAFETY TIPS:

Tell a family member or friend where you are going, the trail you plan to use and when you expect to return.

Carry a fully charged cellphone and, when possible, a portable battery or charging device.

Take plenty of drinking water, especially during hot weather.

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the terrain and weather conditions.

Avoid hiking alone whenever possible.

Remain on marked trails and become familiar with the area before beginning your hike.

Carry identification and important medical information, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.

Pay attention to weather conditions and heat advisories before entering remote areas.

Consider carrying a map, compass or GPS device in areas where cellphone service may be limited.

If you become lost, remain calm and contact 911 as soon as possible. Avoid unnecessarily moving farther away from your last known location unless remaining there presents an immediate danger.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone enjoying the Kisatchie National Forest and other outdoor areas of Natchitoches Parish to plan ahead and take reasonable precautions before entering remote or wooded areas.

09/11/2026

Twenty. Five. Years.
We have not forgotten.

07/04/2026