Statewide burn ban in effect for first time since 2013

The burn bans, which will be in effect until further notice, are due to the extremely dry conditions that increase the fire risk.

In 2011 over 2,000 acres of Bayou Sauvage caught fire, turning the marsh into a massive blaze. National Guard helicopters dumped thousands of gallons of water to help put it out.

“We want to make sure that our engines we’re using out in the fields right now and during harvest are in working order”, Billy Kreft of the Clear Lake Fire Department said.

There is a unsafe fire weather threat today across the area. Any camp fire not in an outdoor fire place is prohibited.

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for all of Southwest Louisiana as well as Hardin, Tyler, Jasper, and Newton counties in Southeast Texas.

In order to burn during this ban, you need to obtain a special permit. This comes on the heels of several wildfires breaking out across Louisiana in the last couple of days. You could face a hefty fine or jail time if you don’t get one.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning said just this week a grass fire in North Louisiana spread, setting about 10 building on fire.