Due to the extremely dry conditions within the state, State Fire Marshal, H. Butch Browning and, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain have issued a cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1563. Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government.

This order went into effect at 6 a.m. on Friday and shall remain in effect until lifted.  This statewide burn ban is in response to extreme dry conditions, abnormal emergency responses, and adverse future weather predictions.

This ban shall 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.

Violation of this order could result in criminal and/or civil penalties.