Louisiana

SFM: Frequently asked questions about the statewide burn ban

Published

2 years ago

September 3, 2023

SFM: Frequently asked questions about the statewide burn ban

STATEWIDE — On August 7, 2023, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal enacted a statewide burn ban due to dry conditions.

Subsequently, on August 25, 2023, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry enacted an immediate ban on prescribed burns, while Governor John Bel Edwards issued an executive order prohibiting all agricultural burning. On the same day, the State Fire Marshal updated its burn ban, encompassing all private burning activities.

Here are the key facts related to frequently asked questions received by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office:

Outdoor Burning: No outdoor burning is allowed under any circumstances. This includes campfires, debris burning, and any other activities involving open flames or sparks.
Outdoor Activities: The ban encompasses all activities that involve fire or flames outdoors. Anything that could potentially produce a spark or flame is strongly discouraged to prevent fire outbreaks.
Outdoor Cooking: While outdoor cooking itself is not prohibited, extreme caution is urged. If your outdoor cooking leads to a situation where the fire department needs to respond, you may face citation. This rule applies regardless of your fuel source, be it propane, charcoal, pellets, or any other.
Yard Work and Machinery: Mowing and yard work are not banned activities. However, it is highly recommended to refrain from these activities, especially on or near dry, brown, dead grass, due to its increased flammability. Operating hot machinery or engaging in any activity that could potentially create sparks should be avoided during this period.

If you’re not sure whether an activity is allowed, don’t do it, says the SFM. In addition, if you see a fire, call 911 immediately to ensure that the fire department can respond and extinguish the fire quickly.

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Louisiana

Louisiana’s John Foster sings in ‘American Idol’ Sunday finale — here’s how to watch and vote

Published

6 hours ago

May 18, 2025

Press Room

Louisiana’s John Foster sings in ‘American Idol’ Sunday finale — here’s how to watch and vote

‘American Idol’s’ current top 10 are, from left, Canaan James Hill, Breanna Nix, Slater Nalley, Thunderstorm Artis, Kolbi Jordan, Mattie Pruitt, Gabby Samone, Louisiana’s John Foster, Jamal Roberts and Josh King. At far right is the season’s artist-in-residence Jelly Roll.

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Louisiana

America's largest remaining antebellum mansion burns down in devastating fire

Published

23 hours ago

May 17, 2025

Press Room

America's largest remaining antebellum mansion burns down in devastating fire

Historic Nottoway Plantation, the largest antebellum mansion in the U.S., burned to the ground this week after a fire broke out on Thursday. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths connected to the fire.

Fire crews worked to extinguish the flames with water reportedly being poured onto the rubble as long as 18 hours after the fire started, according to Fox 8. As of Saturday, the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

“Some staff members stated they had gone into the museum and there was smoke. When they returned, the whole room was in flames,” Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle told Fox 8, adding that it was “a total loss.”

Fire crews move in a line around the now fully engulfed the Nottoway Plantation on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in White Castle, La. (Michael Johnson/The Advocate via AP)

2 DEAD AFTER HOUSE BURNS DOWN IN NEW JERSEY FOLLOWING ‘GIGANTIC EXPLOSION,’ CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Daigle noted in a post on the Iberville Parish Government’s Facebook page that “The loss of Nottoway is not just a loss for Iberville Parish, but for the entire state of Louisiana. It was a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance.”

The 64-room mansion was built by John Hampden Randolph in the late 1850s, according to multiple sources. It sat on more than 53,000 square feet and — in addition to the dozens of rooms — it contained 365 doors and windows and 22 white columns, Fox 8 reported. The property overlooked the Mississippi River.

Firefighters battle blaze at Nottoway Plantation

Firefighters from Baton Rouge battle a blaze as flames burst from the roof of the Nottoway Plantation on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in White Castle, La. (Michael Johnson /The Advocate via AP)

NJ WILDFIRE SCORCHES 13,500 ACRES AS FIREFIGHTERS WORK TOWARD CONTAINMENT

Randolph first arrived in Louisiana in 1841 and began by planting cotton, but ultimately shifted to sugar cane, according to the LSU Scholarly Repository. The scholarly repository article also notes that the mansion was named “Nottoway” after the county in Virginia where his ancestors lived.

U.S. Department of the Interior records cited by Axios show that Randolph owned 155 slaves and 6,200 acres of land by 1860.

In addition to the luxurious mansion, the property also featured several trees that are over 100 years old, several of which are more than 120 years old, according to Nottoway Plantation’s website.

The remains of Nottoway Plantation after a fire broke out on May 15

Light smoke can be seen from a handful of active hot spots as crews remain on scene after a fire on Thursday engulfed the historic Nottoway Plantation, Friday, May 16, 2025, in White Castle, La. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate via AP)

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In modern times, the mansion and the surrounding property functioned as a museum, resort and wedding venue. Nottoway Plantation’s website states that it sat on 31 acres, which included 40 overnight rooms, a bar, a restaurant, event space, a pool, tennis courts and more.

“While its early history is undeniably tied to a time of great injustice, over the last several decades it evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue,” Daigle wrote in the Facebook post. “Since the 1980s, it has welcomed visitors from around the world who came to appreciate its architecture and confront the legacies of its era. It stood as both a cautionary monument and a testament to the importance of preserving history — even the painful parts — so that future generations can learn and grow from it.”

Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.

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Louisiana

Urgent search for Louisiana escaped inmates

Published

2 days ago

May 17, 2025

Press Room

Urgent search for Louisiana escaped inmates

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Urgent search for Louisiana escaped inmates

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