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Louisiana Fire Marshal Issues Open Burning Safety Warning After Multiple Deaths

Louisiana – Following multiple deaths caused by out-of-control burn piles, Louisiana State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning is warning Louisianans about the dangers of open burning.

“These are sad and stunning cases that should bring everyone pause,” said Browning, “Just because there is no burn ban in place in your area, that does not mean that conditions can’t change quicker than you can safely react.”

Four deaths have been attributed to open burning accidents in Louisiana since the end of January 2022.

The most recent tragedy occurred in Sarepta on Monday, March 28. Firefighters were called to the 200 block of Wilton Road around 2 p.m. in response to a large grass fire. A 911 caller reported that her 80-year-old neighbor’s burn pile had spread to another property and that the man could not be found. Firefighters later discovered the man’s burned body on a neighboring property, along with evidence that he had been attempting to put out the fire.

Also on Monday, March 28, Louisiana State Fire Marshal (LASFM) deputies were notified about the discovery of an 89-year-old man on his property following a multi-day search. The man was reported missing on Saturday after a 10-acre grass fire was discovered on his property in the 5200 block of Norris Road in New Iberia, LA. His burned body was discovered near a pond on the morning of the 28th.

Louisiana State Fire Marshal deputies responded to the 5600 block of Topsy Bel Road in Topsy, LA on Thursday afternoon, March 25, after the fire chief of Jefferson Davis Fire District #7 discovered a body in a burn pile while assisting a resident in putting out a brush fire that was growing along the fence line from the pile. While the victim’s identity is still unknown, it is believed to be a 67-year-old female resident of the property next door to where the burn pile was located. This incident appears to be an accident at this time, but deputies are continuing to investigate.

Louisiana State Fire Marshal deputies responded to the 1000 block of Good Hope Road in Anacoco, LA on the morning of January 31, 2022. Firefighters discovered that a 78-year-old man was clearing his property with his son when the burn pile they lit started spreading. The older man went missing during the firefighting efforts. Sadly, a relative later discovered his body, which was still engulfed in flames.

“Don’t let the fact that you’re burning brush outside keep you from understanding smoke from that fire can and will overtake you if you’re not careful, “ said Browning, “Conducting open burning is a dangerous practice, no matter how frequently you do it, and it requires multiple safety steps to be taken every single time.”

Safety tips include:

•  Ensuring weather conditions, including wind speed and direction, are safe for burning
•  Establishing a burn pile at least 75 feet from any structures
•  Creating a 5-foot wet control line around the area
•  Avoiding the use of flammable liquids to ignite a burn pile
•  Remaining vigilant over the fire with a water source nearby at all times
•  Alert a loved one or neighbor of your activities or conduct them with help
•  If the fire does get out of control, call 911.

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