A burn ban is now in effect for Webster Parish following a declaration of a state of emergency by parish officials Tuesday.
Webster Parish Police Jury President Jim Bonsall issued the declaration February 24, citing a lack of rainfall and extreme heat conditions that have created dangerous fire conditions across the parish.
According to the declaration, the Webster Parish Fire Chiefs Association agreed there is a “very definite threat to life and property of the citizens of this Parish, as well as, first responder safety,” and requested that a burn ban be put in place immediately and remain in effect until conditions improve.
The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including campfires, trash fires and any other open burning. The order does not apply to prescribed burns conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
In the declaration, Bonsall stated that a state of emergency exists within Webster Parish and that the Emergency Preparedness/All Hazards Emergency Operations Plan is activated and in effect immediately.
The burn ban will remain in place until parish officials determine conditions have improved.