Due to the extremely dry conditions throughout the state, the State Fire Marshal, Butch Browning, has issued a cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to his authority under R.S. 40:1563. Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government.

This order is effective as of 16:00 Hours, June 23, 2009, and shall remain in effect until rescinded.

ADDENDUM: June 23, 2009 at 14:30 hours

“This ban 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 (R.S. 3:3601 et seq.).

To view the memo from State Fire Marshal Butch Browning, click here.