The outbreak of wildfires in Louisiana has prompted the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to activate the State Emergency Operations Center. Assistant State Fire Marshal Felicia Cooper is urging the public to observe the burn ban and to help spread the word.
“We’re asking everyone to cooperate with the statewide burn ban. This includes not burning anything at all,” said Cooper.
Officials are urging the public not to cook outside or even light a fire pit this time due to the extreme heat and drought to prevent fires.
GOSHEP Director Casey Tingle said wildfires present a real threat to the public, to our families, to our homes and property.
“But there’s also an imminent threat to those that are fighting these fires on our behalf and the crews of firefighters that are out there fighting valiantly in very hot and difficult conditions,” said Tingle.
Increased winds and the drought have prompted the National Weather Service to place large parts of the state under a red flag warning. Tingle encourages the public to be extremely cautious.
“We want to bring awareness to the fact that there is a threat out there that we can’t really see that only takes a spark to be brought to a very close reality for all of us,” said Tingle.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is also encouraging merchants to display signs that the Burn Ban is in place to help increase awareness.
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