State burn ban lifted after recent rainy days

A recent statewide burn ban that was enforced due to the recent hot, dry weather has been lifted as of Monday afternoon, the Louisiana state fire marshal reported.

Rain played a large part in the decision, ending the dry spell locals experienced throughout the month of June and into July.

The lift on the ban ends a 28-day burn ban in which no burning of any kind was allowed.

However, State Fire Marshal H. Butch Browning urges anyone wanting to burn material to check with parish officials before doing so.

“We want to thank all the citizens of Louisiana for taking the necessary steps to ensure safety and refraining from burning over the past 28 days,” he said in a press release. “It has prevented many dangerous fires.”

Local governments were urged by Browning to monitor private burning within their jurisdictions and take the appropriate actions to eliminate dangers.

In parishes of over 90,000 people such as Terrebonne and Lafourche, residents can burn debris under specific conditions, Browning reported.

According to Browning, it is also important to control the amount of dirt on the material being burned.

Heavy oils, asphalt materials, items containing natural or synthetic rubber or any materials other than plant growth which produce large amounts of smoke are not allowed to be burned, nor may any of the substances be used to start a fire. All burning must be done between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Burn bans are still in effect inside Tri-parish city limits, officials reported.