The Calcasieu Police Jury has issued a ban burn for the entire parish as conditions continue to be conducive to a rapid spread in wildland fires.

The executive order prohibits all outdoor private burning of any kind, but doesn’t include prescribed burns.

The National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office said Southwest Louisiana is under an elevated fire danger warning as the area experiences 5-15 mph winds and low humidity levels.

The combination of very dry vegetation, low humidity values and elevated northeasterly winds behind a cold front has led to increased fire danger today, said Storm Warning Coordinator Doug Cramer.

Little to no rainfall is forecast over the next week, which would suggest drought conditions will continue to worsen in the short term, Cramer said.

Residents are advised to avoid activities that cause open flames or sparks — properly discard of cigarettes, void parking on dry grass and check trailers for dragging chains.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the low 70s on Thursday and could climb as high as 79 degrees on Friday.

A warming trend will begin early next week, Cramer said.