Did public pressure force move to douse marsh fire with water?

Dropping buckets of water over the marsh fire is showing some success. The National Guard began dousing a smaller fire in Bayou Sauvage Tuesday night and now it's under control.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Fire Chief Charles Parent said the water drop is also working on the larger fire that's been billowing smoke as far as Baton Rouge.


Since day one neighbors have been calling on leaders to do something rather than wait on rain or let the fire just burn itself out.

But, leaders said putting water on the fire would not make a big difference.

So why the helicopters just a day later?

"The Mayor responded to public pressure," said Political Analyst Jeff Crouere.

Crouere said people want to see leaders do something when responding to a crisis.

Landrieu said late today, he didn't wait too late in requesting the helicopters.

"We made the best decision we could make based on the information we had at the time," said Landrieu.

Landrieu said still this latest strategy is not what's going to doused this fire. He said it hasn't been done no where in the country.

Landrieu said rain and lots of it will go much farther in putting out the marsh fire. He may just get his wish, lots of rain is forecast for this weekend.