UPDATE: On March 9, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury announced that the burn ban issued on February 24 had been lifted.
Original:
Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana - Calcasieu Parish officials have issued a parishwide burn ban, effective immediately, in response to ongoing dry and windy weather conditions that increase the risk of grass and brush fires.
The order prohibits all outdoor private burning of any kind across Calcasieu Parish. That includes burning trash, yard debris, leaves, limbs, and other vegetative material on private property. Prescribed burns, which are controlled fires planned and managed by trained professionals for land management, are not included in the ban.
Officials said the goal of the burn ban is to reduce the chance that small fires will quickly grow out of control. Dry grass, low humidity, and gusty winds can allow flames to spread faster than many people expect, turning a simple trash fire into a larger incident that threatens homes, property, and public safety.
Under the order, all Calcasieu Parish fire departments have the authority to extinguish fires that violate the burn ban. Residents who continue to burn outdoors despite the ban may face penalties. Specific fines or enforcement details were not provided in the order, but authorities made it clear that they are prepared to act to stop unauthorized fires.
The parish is asking the public to cooperate fully by halting outdoor burning until further notice. Officials emphasized that following the burn ban is one of the most practical ways residents can help prevent grass and brush fires during the current weather pattern.
The burn ban will remain in place until it is lifted by parish authorities. No end date has been announced.
Residents are encouraged to:
- Avoid any outdoor private burning, including trash and yard waste.
- Properly dispose of debris through non-burning methods when possible.
- Stay alert for updates from parish government and local fire departments.