BATON ROUGE — Louisiana State Fire Marshal H. “Butch” Browning and Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain issued a statewide cease and desist order for all private burning in effect until further notice.

St. John the Baptist Parish administration or the St. John Office of Fire Services must give permission for residents to conduct private burning.

Officials said the ban does not apply to burns by certified personnel of Department of Agriculture and Forestry, or by those who conduct prescribed burning as a “generally accepted agriculture practice” as defined by the Louisiana Right to Farm Law.

Violation of this Fire Marshal order could result in criminal and/or civil penalties.