Several La. Parishes Under Burn Ban Due to Hurricane Laura

Normally when the State Fire Marshal, Butch Browning, issues a burn ban for a number of Louisiana parishes, it's due to dangerously dry conditions. However, in this case, with us anything but dry, we still find that a number of parishes, including several in North Louisiana, have been placed under a burn ban.

According to the State Fire Marshal and the Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, they've issued a cease and desist order for all private burning for the following parishes:
Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Cameron, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, Jackson, Jeff Davis, LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Union, Vernon and Winn.

Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government. This order is effective as of 8:00 am., August 31, 2020 and shall remain in effect until rescinded.

And just what's the reason for this burn ban, right after the torrential rains of Hurricane Laura? “The extensive damage caused by Hurricane Laura includes several water systems. That means many communities are without adequate water service for potential fire suppression needs,” said State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning, “This order will hopefully assist local first responders by reducing unnecessary fire calls that they will be challenged to answer due to a lack of infrastructure, resources and personnel already tasked with Laura recovery efforts.”

This ban does not apply to prescribed burns by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, by those trained and certified by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or by those who conduct prescribed burning as a “generally accepted agriculture practice.” as defined by the Louisiana Right to Farm Law.