Burn Bans Issued for Caddo, Bossier and DeSoto Parishes Immediately

It had to happen. It has just been too dry. Late yesterday, burn bans were once again implemented in Caddo, Bossier and DeSoto parishes in Northwest Louisiana.

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In a post Monday, February 23, on Facebook, Caddo Parish officials wrote of the immediate ban on any type of outdoor burning, "The National Weather Service has updated the latest drought report, and Northwest Louisiana has been upgraded to severe drought conditions. Residents are urged to comply fully with the burn ban to help protect lives, property, and emergency personnel."

Also posting to social media, Bossier Parish outlined that during the parish-wide burn ban, no outdoor burning is permitted including:

• Burning of trash, leaves, yard debris, or brush
• Campfires, bonfires, and open pit fires
• Burning in barrels or burn pits
• Agricultural or land-clearing burns
• Any fire not fully enclosed and approved

However, there are some slight exceptions, but extreme caution is requested if persons wish to do the following:

• Cooking on gas or charcoal grills (use extreme caution)
• Enclosed outdoor fireplaces or fire pits only if specifically permitted by local officials

In their notification on Facebook, DeSoto Parish Administrator, Michael Norton, writes, "Once conditions improve we will let you all know something. Thank you and God Bless."

One look at the Louisiana Burn Ban Map and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry's Fire Danger Map, it's obvious that most all of Northwest Louisiana is presently at Extreme Fire Danger and the remainder of North Louisiana is deemed under Very High Fire Danger, so it's likely more parishes will initiate burn bans in the very near future.

All residents should monitor their local municipalities for official word of those bans and then again for their removal.  Burn bans are enforced by local and state authorities. Violations may result in fines or legal penalties.

Please help protect lives, property, and our community by following the burn ban and reporting any illegal burning.