A ban on open burning remains in effect for Ascension Parish, but some burning and use of fireworks for the Independence Day holiday will be permitted within certain areas and guidelines, parish officials said.
According to Ascension Fire Service Coordinator Gene Witek, open burning of trash, brush, debris, stumps, grassy areas and the like is prohibited until further notice, per the State Fire Marshal’s office. If a person is found burning such items they will be asked to extinguish the fire. If they refuse, they are subject to a $500 fine and the fire will be put out by parish authorities.
Recreational burning in containers such as fireplaces are allowed, Witek said.
The State Fire Marshal's office issued a Cease and Desist Order on June 23 for all private burning in Louisiana due to the dry conditions throughout the state.
The order states that local governments or fire departments may give permission for private burning, but Parish President Tommy Martinez said such permission will not be given in Ascension Parish.
The only exceptions to the burn ban are prescribed burns being conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
As for fireworks, there are some restrictions:
• Rural Ascension Parish (outside the city and town limits of Gonzales, Donaldsonville and Sorrento) has no restrictions.
• Within the Gonzales city limits, fireworks are banned, as Police Chief Sherman Jackson announced earlier this week.
• Within the Donaldsonville city limits, fireworks displays are allowed only at public parks with a permit issued by the fire department.
• Within the Sorrento town limit, fireworks are allowed only from 10 a.m.-midnight on July 4.
