flickr.com.tsuda An offshore oil rig

Louisiana Oil & Gas Association president Don Briggs calls the fire a "non-event," but he says federal authorities will bill the incident as something bigger than it was, "they will use it, and they will stretch it, and they'll make it something it's not, because that's what they've done already."

The environmental group Louisiana Bucket Brigade, feels the latest incident should be taken seriously. Founding director Anne Rolfes wants the government to take the fire seriously as well, "there is an epidemic of accidents in the oil industry, and something needs to happen," Rolfes says, "and from my point of view that's enforcement of laws that are already on the books."

Rolfes says the oil & gas industry is important to Louisiana and the nation, but safety and public health concerns shouldn't be overlooked.