AMITE - Fire crews Thursday rushed to the scene of a large wildfire burning in Tangipahoa Parish near the city of Amite.

Videos showed large plumes of smoke burning behind trees just off Highway 16 west of I-55. In total, the fire has burned more than 250 acres of land.

On Friday, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry told WBRZ that Ryan Miller of Independence faces charges for fire-raising on another's land by criminal negligence and violating a fire marshal's order.

Richard Muller, a homeowner affected by the fires, said all he could do is pray that the flames do not reignite as they smolder. However, the area he was in did quickly become engulfed in flames, and a call from his daughter warning him about the smoke prompted him to call authorities after he noticed how close the fire was.

"If it wouldn't have been for them, I wouldn't have no house," Muller said. "I thought I lost it. There's nothing I can do. I was putting stuff in the safe to protect it. I packed a bag and we were getting ready to leave."

Muller also had strong words regarding how the fire started and the person who started it.

"Arrest them," Muller said. "It can kill people. Think about it. If my daughter wouldn't have called me, I would have died."

The entire state of Louisiana has been under a burn ban since August 7th. Governor John Bel Edwards said that this was the driest, hottest summer on record in the state.

Our state has never been this hot and dry and we have never had this many fires. We need you and your neighbors to help keep our communities and first responders safe. Adhere to the statewide burn ban. Don’t burn anything. #lagov #lawx #lalege pic.twitter.com/aRdzzkiDJT

— Gov. John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 24, 2023