Sugarcane Prescribed Burning

By Kenneth Gravois, Ph.D.

LSU AgCenter

With sugarcane planting nearly finished and the cane grinding season nearing, now is a good time to think about one important aspect of the harvest – prescribed burning. The process has changed some with the COVID-19 situation.

For first time certification, here is the process to follow: 

1.     Contact your local parish extension agent and schedule a time for prescribed burn certification. The person will watch a PowerPoint presentation that is 40 minutes in length.

2.     Each person will have to complete the test after the presentation. It is important to get everyone’s name and address on the first page of the test because burn certification cards will be mailed to this address.

3.     All persons will have to fill out and sign the affidavit.

4.     Lastly, the test and affidavit will be mailed to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), Soil and Water Conservation Office in Baton Rouge where cards will be issued.

For recertification (remember that cards expire after five years), the process remains the same. Each person can go to the local parish extension office and watch the 14 minute video. These names and addresses will be sent to LDAF who will reissue a burn certification card.