Louisiana Governor asks residents to avoid grilling during Labor Day weekend due to wildfires

Amid dry, hot and fire-friendly conditions across much of the south and particularly Louisiana, the governor is asking residents to make a sacrifice to prevent wildfires: Avoid grilling. Not exactly an easy ask with college football kicking off this weekend, but a sacrifice being asked amid a statewide burn ban.

Fortunately, LSU, among other schools in the state, don’t play at home on Labor Day weekend. The Tigers will be playing Florida State in Orlando on Sunday evening.

“This weekend is Labor Day. We know that typically involves a lot of cookouts and barbecues, especially with the return of football… And I’m asking that people not engage in barbecuing and so forth outside where a fire can start,” governor John Bel Edwards said. “Let’s be patient. Let’s not create more work for firefighters across the state of Louisiana.”

Wildfires have burned more than 60,000 acres so far, mostly in the southwest portion of the state. With current weather conditions ripe for spreading the fire or starting more, a state-wide burn ban has been put into effect.

While LSU has avoided the need for any game day specific measures so far, Louisiana has banned open flames at tailgates for the home opener this weekend.

“While tailgating, no open flames will be permitted. This includes all tailgating activities such as grilling (propane, pellets, charcoal, or otherwise), grill pits, fire pits, fireworks and sparklers. Generators will be allowed in tailgating areas as long as they are elevated off the ground,” a statement from Louisiana athletics said.

Louisiana hosts Northwestern State at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Other games in Louisiana during Labor Day weekend and Week 1 include, among others, Nicholls State hosting Sacramento State on Thursday night, Tulane hosting South Alabama on Saturday night, UL-Monroe hosts Army on Saturday night and McNeese State hosts Tarleton State on Saturday.

LSU hosts Grambling State for a home opener on Sept. 9, but it’s unclear at this point if similar fire prevention precautions will be taken.

An LSU spokesperson said it was “too soon” to know how the home opener could be affected, according to WBRZ.

“Think of alternatives,” Louisiana fire marshal Daniel Wallis said. “Think of the situations where you may patronize your local businesses if you’re thinking about having a barbecue and go for those tailgate parties and buy pre-packaged meals… Think about situations where you might be using candles for some sort of outdoor event, purchase flameless candles.”