Burn Ban Still in Effect

Although we have seen a good bit of rain around Central over the past week, the burn ban that was issued on June 1st remains in effect.  This is just a reminder not to start outdoor fires until this ban is lifted.  This is a state wide burn ban that the Central Fire Department is enforcing.  The original press release concerning the burn ban is below:

Due to the extremely dry conditions throughout the state, the State Fire Marshal H. Butch Browning and Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain have issued a cease and desist order for all private burning, pursuant to authority under R.S. 40:1563. Private burning shall only be allowed by permission of the local fire department or local government.  This order is effective as of 0900 Hours, June 1, 2011, and shall remain in effect until rescinded.  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 order could result in civil penalties.  East Baton Rouge Parish has seen an increased number of grass fires.  Fire Chief Bill Porche urges residents of Central NOT to burn.  The Central Fire District will follow this State Wide Burn Ban and extinguish all fires. It is already against parish ordnance to burn unless certain conditions are met. For a complete list of information you can go to our website at www.centralfd.org.