For Immediate Release, Monday, November 28, 2005
Contact:  Dana La Fonta @ 985-898-5243
 

BURN BAN LIFTED
 

            Parish President Kevin Davis has lifted the burn ban in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish.

             After meeting with Director of Fire Prevention Services John P. O’Neil and all fire districts, Davis rescinded the ban on burning that was issued in the early days following Hurricane Katrina’s landfall.

             Following the hurricane event, millions of cubic yards of debris – mostly flammable materials – were to be found in St. Tammany. Additionally, a three-month drought heightened the danger, and fire districts parishwide reported an increase in calls for service.

             With significant rainfall in recent days and continuing progress in the collection of debris, Davis, O’Neil and the chiefs reached consensus that it would be safe to lift the ban.

             “Our primary focus has always been public safety,” Davis said. “Although the lifting of the burn ban will make it easier for citizens to dispose of debris, safety precautions and parish ordinances must still be followed. We encourage everyone to obey the law not for its own sake, but in the interest of protecting both property and safety.”

             Parish ordinances stipulate that a fire can be no more than eight feet in diameter and four feet in height. Burn sites cannot be left unattended and can only be operated between sunrise and one hour before sunset. A functional water hose must be located next to the site, and the fire must be at least 10 feet from the property line and 50 feet from any structure. If the fire is closer than 50 feet, a container must be used. Only one fire site is permitted per homesite or parcel of land.

             “Everyone remains anxious to finish removing debris from their property and to return our parish to a feeling of normalcy,” Davis said. “While we undertake rebuilding, repairing and restoring our community, we simply must make safety our top priority.”

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