Update: The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury lifted this burn ban on October 27, 2025.

Original:

Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana - The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has implemented an immediate burn ban for the entire parish, effective October 20, 2025, in response to ongoing dry weather conditions that have raised fire safety concerns throughout the region.

Police Jury President Judd Bares signed the executive order, which prohibits all forms of outdoor private burning within Calcasieu Parish boundaries. The comprehensive ban applies to residents and property owners who might otherwise engage in yard waste burning, debris fires, or other outdoor burning activities.

The order does not extend to prescribed burns, which are controlled fires intentionally set by land managers and forestry professionals for ecological or land management purposes. These planned burns typically follow strict safety protocols and require permits from appropriate agencies.

Under the terms of the executive order, Calcasieu Parish Fire Departments have received authorization to extinguish any fires that violate the ban. Firefighters can respond to reports of unauthorized outdoor burning and take action to put out these fires without obtaining additional permission.

Residents who fail to comply with the burn ban may face penalties, though the executive order did not specify the exact fines or consequences for violations. Property owners should expect enforcement actions if they continue outdoor burning activities during the ban period.

The decision to implement the burn ban comes as the parish experiences dry conditions that increase wildfire risk. When vegetation and grass become dried out from lack of rainfall, outdoor fires can spread more easily and quickly become dangerous situations that threaten property and lives.

The Police Jury has not announced a timeline for when the burn ban might be lifted. Such decisions typically depend on weather patterns, including significant rainfall that would reduce fire danger levels to acceptable thresholds.

Residents with questions about what activities fall under the burn ban should contact their local fire department for clarification. The ban focuses on private outdoor burning, meaning activities like grilling and cooking on outdoor equipment may have different restrictions.