State Fire Marshall issues statewide burn ban

OFFICIAL STATEMENT: The Office of State Fire Marshal, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, hereby orders a statewide cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to his authority under R.S. 40:1602. Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government. This order is being issued to reduce the risk of fire during this extreme dry period.

This order 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.

This order is effective Aug. 7, 2023, at 5 p.m. and shall remain in effect until rescinded.