The Red River Parish Fire Protection District is reminding residents that the parish-wide burn ban remains in effect, despite prescribed burns being conducted in the parish.

The clarification comes after residents saw controlled fires taking place while the burn ban was still in place.

According to the Fire District, the prescribed burns conducted Thursday, as well as future prescribed burns, are authorized burns being conducted under requirements established by Louisiana law and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF).

Louisiana law specifically provides an exception for prescribed burning. Under R.S. 40:1602(C), the burn-ban restrictions in that statute do not apply to prescribed burning as defined under R.S. 3:17.

Prescribed burning is a controlled use of fire for specific land-management purposes, including forestry, agriculture and wildlife habitat management. LDAF requires prescribed burns to follow applicable requirements, including a written burn plan, smoke-management guidelines and notification requirements. Certified prescribed burners must also meet state certification requirements.

That exception does not mean the general public can burn outdoors.

The Fire District stressed that residents should not assume an outdoor fire is legal simply because they see a prescribed burn taking place.

For most residents, the burn ban continues to prohibit outdoor burning. Anyone who is unsure whether a planned burn qualifies as a permitted prescribed burn should contact the appropriate authority before starting a fire.

LDAF also advises residents to check local requirements before conducting any outdoor burning because local restrictions may be stricter than state rules.

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