Burn bans cover most of the ArkLaTex. Here’s where they stand.

It has been very dry across the ArkLaTex. Magnolia Reporter says it has recorded 3.31 inches of rain in downtown Magnolia since June 24. Two wildfires burned hundreds of acres in Columbia County, Ark., this week (our story on Thursday’s fire). Here’s where burn bans stood early Friday, Oct. 23, based on state and local government sites.

Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s burn ban map shows bans in 38 parishes. In North Louisiana that includes Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Red River, Richland, Union, Webster and Winn parishes. The map doesn’t list end dates. People under a ban should not burn yard debris, build campfires or do any other open burning, WDSU reported. Local rules can vary, so check with your parish before you burn anything outdoors.

Here’s what local officials have said about how long some bans last:

• Webster: Through Nov. 17. The Police Jury voted unanimously Oct. 6 to keep the ban, the Minden Press-Herald reported. Brian Williams, the parish’s homeland security director, told the paper that a change in state law now requires a jury vote once a parishwide ban passes 60 days. Fire chiefs can still end it early if enough rain falls.
• Caddo: “No outdoor burning of any kind is allowed until further notice,” the parish says.
• Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Bienville and Lincoln: The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said Oct. 15 that bans in these parishes were in effect until further notice, KTVE/KARD reported.
• Bossier: The parish’s last posted extension, on Sept. 9, was for 30 days unless lifted sooner. The parish hasn’t posted a newer one, but the state map still lists a ban there.
• Other parishes: We didn’t find a posted end date. Check with your parish.

Even when there’s no ban, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry says vegetation and yard waste are the only things that can legally be burned outdoors in the state.

Arkansas

The Arkansas Forestry Division listed 52 counties under burn bans as of 8:26 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. In our area that includes Columbia, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Sevier and Union counties. The list doesn’t give end dates. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture asks people to report wildfires at 1-800-468-8834 or to local authorities, and to make sure trailer safety chains don’t drag and throw sparks.

East Texas

The Texas A&M Forest Service burn ban map showed bans Friday morning in Bowie, Cass, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Titus and Upshur counties. It showed no ban in Camp, Gregg or Smith counties. The map doesn’t list end dates.

• Harrison: The county says its ban took effect Aug. 13, with a 90 day extension effective Aug. 20.
• Bowie: The county says it is currently under a burn ban. It doesn’t give an end date.

Counties set their own rules, so check with your county before burning.

What not to do

• Don’t burn leaves, brush or trash.
• Don’t toss cigarettes from vehicles, Columbia County Sheriff Leroy Martin urged this week.
• Check that trailer chains are secured and not dragging on the road.