State Fire Marshal Shares Safe Outdoor Burning Tips Following Concerning Weather Conditions

While the state is NOT under a burn ban, State Fire Marshal Bryan J Adams is strongly encouraging Louisianans to avoid any outdoor burning practices this week until conditions become less concerning.

Continuous, elevated winds coupled with mostly dry conditions across the state have led to an increase in brush fire calls for local fire departments. Several of these calls have escalated into large and dangerous wildfires that involved response from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

“Even though the current conditions are nowhere close to what the state experienced last summer, we need everyone to understand the ingredients for dangerous fires are in place right now,” said Adams, “These fires are resulting from small outdoor burn piles getting quickly out of control. They are proving to be challenging for firefighters and have destroyed properties.”

Open, outdoor burning is defined as setting fire to any trees, branches, grass, leaves, brush, or debris by private property owners for non-commercial purposes. If outdoor burning is unavoidable at this time, safety tips include:

• Ensuring weather conditions, including wind speed and direction, are safe for burning

• Confirming open burning is legal in your area

• 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