The rain that we recently received has been a big help in stopping wildfires across the state. Does that mean the statewide burn ban will soon come to an end?
"That will probably be revisited next week by the state fire marshal, and we'll discuss it with him," state agriculture commissioner Mike Strain told WWL's Tommy Tucker.
State agriculture commissioner Mike Strain told WWL's Tommy Tucker that he's thankful for all the rain that we received, especially after the wildfires cost the state nearly $33 million to fight. However, Strain says he expects the state burn ban will be left in place.
"Last week, we were still fighting wildfires, and early this week, we were still fighting wildfires. Until we get a little more rain, I think (the burn ban) will remain in effect," Strain said. "We're averaging, right now, three wildfires per day. I'm hoping for the next few days we have none."
Strain reminds people the current burn ban gives local governments some latitude to allow residential burns if they deem it's safe to do so.
"You can contact your parish government, and we ask everyone to contact your local fire department if you have something that you need to burn--a debris pile or whatever--they have the ability to go ahead and give you permission to do that," Strain said.
According to Strain, agricultural burning is allowed except for the burning of standing sugar cane.
