Mass pileup in Louisiana: “Superfog” of fog and swamp fire smoke is blamed for pileups and road closures

NEW ORLEANS – A “super fog” of smoke from swamp fires and thick fog was blamed for at least two dozen traffic accidents, including multi-car pileups, on interstate highways in southeastern Louisiana on Monday.

Sections of Interstates 55 and 10 west of New Orleans remained closed late morning. The 24-mile-long dam across Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans was temporarily closed.

The National Weather Service said on social media that there were several wetland fires in the region. It was said smoke from the fires mixed with fog to create a “super fog.” Visibility was expected to improve as the fog clears. But it was unclear how long the swamp fires, whose smoke could be seen and smelled in the New Orleans area over the weekend, would last.

The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate reported that several schools near New Orleans announced canceled classes or delayed openings due to smoke and fog.