There is a burn ban in effect for all of Louisiana. Here in Washington Parish, our fire chiefs are literally begging the public to stop burning ANYTHING!
Our parish fire departments are working hard in this intense heat because of the number of fires that have occurred.
We are in the middle of a long drought and a very high heat spell. All you have to do is look around you and you can see brown grass, brown leaves on trees, and incredibly dry brush. This presents a fire hazard that is almost like gasoline --- one small spark ignites it, and with our current drought conditions the fire spreads like, well, wild fire.
Don't burn anything. Don't toss that cigarette butt out of the car window. No fireworks. Don't use matches and candles and, please, keep them far away from children. Bwe careful if driving off road --- dry grass and weeds can be ignited by your muffler!
One man near Franklinton has already been killed in the current fire hazard situation. Hundreds of acres of prime woodland has been burned. Homes and outbuildings have been at risk. Wildlife habitat has been threatened.
Pray for rain, but also pray for common sense. Don't burn anything!
Here is the statement released today by Parish President Richard Thomas:
Parish President Thomas wishes to emphasize that a statewide burn ban remains in effect due to the ongoing extreme high temperatures and dry conditions. In light of this, it is imperative to refrain from any form of outdoor burning during this ban. Those found in violation of the burn ban could potentially face both criminal and civil penalties. The strain on first responder agencies has reached a critical point, with significant loss of land, structures, and human lives resulting from the disregard of this statewide burn ban.
It is of utmost importance to avoid engaging in any activities that might negligently lead to a fire. We kindly ask each and every Washington Parish citizen to adhere to the burn ban, and we encourage you to share this message with your family, friends, and neighbors. Remember, if you witness any suspicious activity, please report it as quickly as possible.
A burn ban signifies a complete banning on outdoor burning, without exceptions. If you are unsure about what activities qualify as outdoor fires, we recommend reaching out to your local fire department for clarification.
