LA HB1153

Parish and municipal governing authorities may declare temporary burn bans during elevated wildfire risk conditions, with bans issued via ordinance, resolution, or emergency proclamation and requiring public notice through websites, social media, or emergency alert systems.

Burn bans may prohibit burning of yard debris, land clearing burns, construction debris burning, and uncontained recreational fires, but exempt agricultural burning under state law, certified prescribed burns, cooking fires in grills/smokers, and contained recreational fires.

Civil penalties for knowingly violating a burn ban: $500 for first offense, $1,000 for second offense, $2,500 for third or subsequent offense, with each day of violation constituting a separate offense.

Violations causing property damage exceeding $5,000 constitute a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment); violations causing damage to critical infrastructure constitute a felony (up to $25,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment).

Violators may be held liable for fire suppression and emergency response costs, must pay restitution for property damage, and may be subject to enforcement by law enforcement, fire department personnel, and municipal code enforcement officers.