The Vernon Parish Police Jury announced Thursday it has issued a parish wide burn ban effective immediately and until further notice to combat the hot and dry conditions being seen throughout the parish.

The order, signed by police jury president James Tuck, was issued with concurrence from Vernon Parish Fire District No. 1 officials, and orders all private and open burning to cease until such a time that the police jury chooses to revoke the ban.

According to fire district officials, numerous fires have been started recently due to open burning, with one in particular damaging a shed and two vehicles on a resident’s property.

“With the dry conditions present, ash from open fires can ignite grass and brush that could quickly burn out of control,” Tuck said.

The hot and dry conditions across the area also prompted the DeRidder Fire Department this week to suspend issuing burn permits for the time being.

Fire Chief Ken Harlow said that the suspension is only temporary and was done with the safety of residents in mind.

“Once conditions improve, we will resume burn permits,” Harlow said.

As of Thursday, no burn restrictions have been issued by Beauregard Parish officials.