LIVINGSTON PARISH - On Tuesday afternoon, Parish President Layton Ricks issued a parish-wide burn ban order following a bone-dry stretch of weather that has made portions of the area a veritable tinderbox itching to ignite.

While there surely are drawbacks for some, many parish residents see a silver-lining that accompanies the decree.

With the burn ban in effect, anyone burning trash, leaves or other commonly burned organic materials outdoors and without a permit could run into some legal trouble should authorities "catch wind" of the smoldering refuse. Some parish residents are glad for the ban.

"It's something that's just expected," said Diane Smith, one of those Livingston resident in support of the ban.

Smith said she and her husband have resided in Livingston Parish for more than two decades. They're emphatic when they commend the parish for issuing the burn ban order when the did.

"We're near a wooded area and it has not been cleaned out in years. So it could probably catch on fire and burn the whole woods over here and the possibility of our house, roof catching on fire," said Smith.

State Fire Marshal, Butch Browning, says the department is monitoring the conditions closely on a daily basis. Regardless, Browning pointed out that there is not yet a need to call for a statewide burn ban at the time he was interviewed by News 2. Should that situation change, News 2 will provide timely updates on the developing situation on WBRZ.com and our regular television broadcasts.