ACADIA PARISH — Dry conditions across Acadiana are prompting fire officials to urge residents to take extra precautions as burn bans remain in effect across parts of the state.
Acadia Parish is among 25 parishes currently under burn bans because of the dry conditions.
“The grass is dying, vegetation is dying,” said Harral Johnson, fire chief for Acadia Parish Fire District 4. “Yesterday we had a fire that spread so rapidly, I ended up having to call seven departments to the scene to stop it.”
The dry conditions have already contributed to several fires, including a blaze along Highway 13 Friday afternoon. Acadia Parish Fire District 4 were in that same area Thursday, where two trees were smoldering.
Johnson said fires can quickly reignite, even when people believe they have been extinguished.
“You think it's out, and you walk away, the wind blows a little bit, and then here comes the fire department because it started back up,” he said.
The parish-issued burn ban prohibits open burning by residents, although the restrictions do not apply to farmers. Residents are still allowed to barbecue in a barbecue pit.
Johnson urged residents who are grilling to stay with their fires and make sure they are fully extinguished with water when finished.
“If your fire creates damage to somebody else, even though you were just barbecuing, you are still ultimately responsible for it,” Johnson said.
Fire crews went through about eight cases of bottled water while battling Thursday’s blaze, Johnson said. He's urging residents to consider the conditions firefighters face when responding to fires during extreme heat.
“At 104 degrees when we pull up, it’s miserable out there,” Johnson said. “Think before you light that fire, think about your firefighters. We're out there. We're the ones out there at 100 degrees and don't get that break.”
