The executive order, signed by Police Jury President Chris Landry, prohibits all outdoor private burning of any kind but doesn’t include prescribed burns.

The order also gives Calcasieu Parish fire departments the authority to extinguish all fires that are in violation of the ban and residents may face penalties.

This growing concern for fire weather danger is because a combination of increasing drought conditions and little to no rain has caused vegetation to dry out, said National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Marti Calhoun.

“Afternoons with breezy conditions and relative humidities 30 to 40% will increase fire danger concerns,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun said a strong upper level ridge is expected to redevelop today over the region that will allow hot air temperatures to combine with high humidity values.

Dangerous heat is expected with heat index values of 108- 114 degrees, Calhoun said.

Calhoun said chances strongly favor above-normal heat to continue through at least Aug. 22nd.