Vernon Parish officials have issued a burn ban effective immediately due to extremely dry conditions and elevated winds that pose a serious threat to life and property.

The order prohibits all private and open burning until further notice. This includes fire pits, campfires, barrels, bonfires, burn piles, and similar open flames.

Open burning in Louisiana is defined as the combustion of any material outdoors or in a container without a stack or chimney, primarily including trees, brush, leaves, and yard debris.

Exceptions to the ban include:

• Outdoor cooking using contained equipment such as grills or smokers, conducted on flame-resistant surfaces with a water source or fire extinguisher nearby.

• Prescribed burns carried out by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry or those conducted as a “generally accepted agricultural practice,” in coordination with the local fire district.

The burn ban will remain in effect until it is officially lifted. Residents are urged to exercise caution and follow safety measures when outdoors.