LAFAYETTE, LA (KADN)- Many places around the state are experiencing dry conditions resulting in local fire districts establishing burn bans. The state fire marshal's office followed suit applying to every parish in Louisiana.
Alton Trahan with the Lafayette fire department says this was put in place because of the weather conditions.
He says "It was put in place because it extremely dry conditions right now we've responded to at least 56 fires since January that's just been overgrown areas where someone have a lil small fire and the wind blows and it just takes the small fire into a large field".Â
The burn ban includes anything with an open flame. Alton Trahan says the wind can carry floating embers and start a spot fire which can spread pretty quickly.
He says "The concern we have is where the fire spreads usually it gets outside of control pretty quickly with the wind but the number one concern is whether or not the fire will spread to someone's home or a bar or a shed therefore you have the potential to lose your house or valuable property when it starts with a small property".Â
Residents are reminded to be mindful of the conditions when considering open burning on properties that the burn ban is now statewide, but in certain areas of Louisiana it was already illegal.
"First and foremost, in the city of Lafayette you're prohibited from doing that anyway but in the rural areas you may have some individuals who may have open burning there burning branches some leaves and that's where those fires pretty much get out of control because its dry and its very windy."
