Fire marshal says burn ban for health as much as safety

State Fire Marshal H. Browning, in collaboration with Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, have issued a statewide cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1602. 

Officials stressed the burn is being ordered to reduce irritants in the air created by smoke that can adversely affect those suffering from respiratory issues, whether associated with COVID-19 or not, or confuse people who are trying to determine whether their respiratory issues are caused by COVID-19 or not as well as to reduce the potential for fire-related emergency calls which could put first responders in close proximity to each other and the public as well as potentially tax shortened staffs affected by COVID-19.

Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government. This order is effective as of 8 a.m., March 25, 2020 and shall remain in effect until rescinded.

“This burn ban is necessary to supplement the governor’s ‘Stay At Home’ order aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19 due to the anticipation that there may be an increase in open burning occurring across the state as families look for ways to pass the time at home,” Browning said. “This order will assist in preventing potential fire-related dangers that could result in unnecessary fire service response as well as diminish airborne irritants caused by burning.”

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.).

Violation of this Fire Marshal order could result in criminal and/or civil penalties.