Burn Bans Cover Much of North Louisiana, East Texas & Southwest Arkansas
More cool and dry weather is in the forecast as a cold front moves through the state Louisiana. And it should be less windy on this Friday. National Weather Service (NWS) forecaster Hannah Linsey says the state is in the midst of an unseasonal dry spell. “We don't have any rain in the forecast, so we are definitely going to start to get into that time where we worry about drought for sure.” Linsey says much of Louisiana should stay dry through next week at least. But drought conditions aren’t as bad as last year at this point in the season.
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Meet the Candidate: Peter Williams for the 6th Congressional District
Peter Williams ran for Congress in 2016 and was called “the irrelevant candidate” by a news outlet. Eight years later, he says his experience, work ethic, and ability to lead can earn him a seat in the 6th Congressional District.
He moved into the world of agriculture. He became a tree farmer and learned the importance of agriculture’s role in Louisiana’s economy.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to Enforce Burn Bans on its Public Lands
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunters and outdoorsmen of a burn ban in many parishes due to extremely dry conditions.
The bans include the burning of trash and vegetation, as well as any other open burning. For this reason, LDWF is restricting open fires, including campfires, on WMAs in these parishes until conditions improve and the burn bans are lifted.
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American Plywood Association Names Scott Poole as Newest Member
APA - Engineered Wood Association Board of Trustees announces Scott Poole as its newest member. Poole is the president and chief operating officer for Martin Sustainable Resources, L.L.C. He joined Martin Companies in December 1986 as a member of the forestry team and has since held various roles in forestry, land and timber, manufacturing, and sales. In 2003, he became the highest-ranking non-family member in the company’s history.
He currently serves on the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) boards and the Louisiana Landowners Association.
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Increasing Wildfire/Forest Fire Threat for Louisiana
A strong autumn cold front has swept through delivering a real taste of fall.
Unfortunately, that front pushed through as a 'dry' front. Given the current state of dryness/drought across Louisiana, conditions after the frontal passage will set that stage for increased wildfire threats.
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Learn Forest Management, Earn CEs
The Louisiana Logging Council, Drax Biomass, Hunt Forest Products, LaSalle Lumber Co. and Kisatchie National Forest are offering an opportunity for loggers to learn about Complimentary Forest Management, At-Risk Species, Timber Extraction and Restoration efforts on the Calcasieu District.
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The West Louisiana Forestry Festival is Back
It's that time of year again! The West Louisiana Forestry Festival returns to Leesville October 2nd through the 6th at the Vernon Parish Fairgrounds located at 276 HM Stevens Blvd.
Festivities include a Junior, Teen, and Miss pageant held the two weekends preceding the festival. The Vernon Parish 4-H Club will have their horse show on September 29, 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM. On September 30, 2024 beginning at 5:30 PM the Woodsman Skills competition takes off and continues on October 1, 2024 at the same time.
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Proposed $1.35 Billion Investment in Southeast Louisiana Would Establish Large-Scale Renewable Natural Gas Plant and Green Hydrogen Facility
Woodland Biofuels, Inc., announced a planned $1.35 billion investment at the Port of South Louisiana to establish one of the world’s largest renewable biofuels production facilities. The Toronto-based company would utilize waste biomass to produce sustainable biofuel used in transportation, heating and electricity generation.
If the project moves forward as outlined, the company expects to create 110 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of more than $90,000. Louisiana Economic Development estimates that the project would result in 259 indirect new jobs for a total of 369 potential new jobs in the Southeast Region. Woodlands Biofuels estimates that the project would create approximately 500 construction jobs.
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Minding the Forest: Louisiana's Forest Economy
Brooks Mendell, founder, president and CEO of Forisk Consulting, was one of the guest speakers at the 77th annual convention of the Louisiana Forestry Association.
His company does extensive research in the industry throughout the United States and Canada. During the late August event, Mendell sat down with us to talk about the forest productions industry in Louisiana for the September episode of Minding the Forest, LFA's podcast.
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LSU Uses Artificial Intelligence for More Accurate, Faster Wildfire Detection and Prediction
Uncontained wildfires can quickly engulf homes and infrastructure, leading to significant economic losses, displacement of communities, and health risks due to smoke. They also present significant threats to forests, grasslands, and other natural habitats, leading to the death or displacement of countless animals and plants.
Providing firefighting teams with the best technology improves their chances of containing wildfires before they cause widespread damage.
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Logging Equipment Set Ablaze In Vernon Parish Woods
On the night of August 24, Vernon Parish volunteer fire departments and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) fire crews were dispatched to the area off Highway 465 north of Simpson. Investigators say that on August 23, after the logging crew left for work, several pieces of logging equipment and timber caught fire.
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Louisiana Forestry Association Discusses Future as Recovery Continues After Devastating 2023 Wildfires
The Louisiana Forestry Association is hosting its annual convention around a year after the state saw unprecedented damage from several wildfires, including one here in Southwest Louisiana known as the Tiger Island Fire.
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Louisiana Lawmakers Look for Emergency Funds to Remove Dangerous Dead, Beetle-ridden Trees
Have a dead tree in your yard from the dry summer last year? It could be infested with beetles, making it more likely to fall. Lawmakers are looking for an emergency declaration to get people funds to remove dangerous trees before that happens.
After the drought of 2023 that cost the state millions of dollars in agricultural losses, more than 12 million trees across the state are dead because of it. Those dry conditions make the perfect home for the ips beetle to dig into the bark, further weakening the tree.
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Companies are Selling the Carbon Stored in Louisiana Trees
The sound of leaves crunching underfoot follows Cakey Worthington as she makes her way into a forest of pine and oak trees in the Atchafalaya Swamp. She stops at a rebar marker placed in the ground then walks up to a tree nearby.
“We come back every five years to remeasure all the trees in this location,” she said, cicadas singing nearby.
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Louisiana’s Beetle Subcommittee Discusses Drought, Helping State Forestry
The Louisiana Legislature’s House Emergency Beetle Subcommittee held its second meeting at the state capitol on August 14 to discuss the state’s infected trees and find potential solutions.
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