A parish-wide burn ban has been issued for Vernon Parish due to extremely dry conditions and elevated winds that pose a significant threat to life and property.

Vernon Parish Police Jury President James B. Tuck ordered the ban in concurrence with Vernon Parish Fire District No. 1. The burn ban took effect on Jan. 2 and will remain in place until lifted by the president of the Vernon Parish Police Jury.

The order requires all private and open burning to cease until further notice. Prohibited activities include open flames in fire pits, campfires, burn barrels, bonfires, burn piles, and similar outdoor fires.

While outdoor cooking is not prohibited under the burn ban, parish officials strongly recommend taking safety precautions. Residents are advised to use only contained cooking equipment such as grills and smokers designed specifically for cooking, place them on flame-resistant surfaces, and keep a water source or fire extinguisher nearby at all times.

The burn ban does not apply to prescribed burns conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry or to those carried out as a generally accepted agricultural practice as defined under the Louisiana Right to Farm Law.

Officials emphasized that the action was necessary due to current weather conditions and wildfire risks across the parish. Residents are urged to comply fully with the ban to help prevent fires and protect public safety.