SFD said a bale of compact paper/cardboard caught fire. They are trying to obtain surveillance footage of how it happened.

Also, due to wind conditions, the fire was more difficult to extinguish.

Caddo Fire District 4 (CFD 4) was able to provide aerial support during the fire, using a drone to assess the scene, helping firefighters position equipment properly without compromising the safety of firefighters.

"Mutual aid is a cornerstone of what we do. And when called upon, CFD 4 was ready and willing to assist without hesitation," said John Phelan, public information officer for CFD 4. "We are proud to collaborate with our neighboring departments to ensure the safety of our communities in times of crisis."

Seventeen fire units were at the scene earlier in the day; by 10 p.m., there were 38 units.

Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. said they would monitor it for 48 hours but don't know when it would be fully put out.

As of Sunday afternoon (March 16), the number of SFD units on the scene had dropped to a half dozen, then they doubled to 12 just before sunset.

Also Sunday, the Port of Caddo-Bossier released the following statement about the blaze:

"We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the response. Numerous agencies came together in an extraordinary display of teamwork and dedication, demonstrating exceptional skill and coordination throughout the firefighting efforts. Our community should take great pride in the resilience and cooperation shown in the aftermath of this incident. Local first responders worked side by side, ensuring each other's safety and executing their roles with precision and commitment. Their unified efforts helped bring the situation under control. As we move forward, additional operations will begin today, including the deployment of heavy machinery to further secure the area. We appreciate the continued efforts of all personnel involved and the unwavering support of our community."

The recycling plant is about 4.5 miles from Shreveport Fire Station 20, which, come July, will have been closed for two years for a remodel because of a mold issue.

"It's a bad deal for it to be shut down," Councilman Grayson Boucher, who is a former Shreveport firefighter and former Caddo Fire District 5 fire chief, said on Sunday (March 16). It was just Tuesday (March 11) that he asked the city to expedite efforts to establish a temporary fire station at the site of Station 20 during construction there.

When asked whether the Pratt Industries blaze might expedite efforts to get a temporary fire station set up and to get Station 20 back online, Boucher said, "I think we were pretty much primed to move it along ..." even before the fire occurred. "Hopefully, it will happen soon."

Bids on the project are closing soon, said Daniel McDonnell, administrative assistant to the fire chief.