St. Charles Parish Government, in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Restore the Earth Foundation, reminds residents and visitors that burning marshland is strictly prohibited, especially in the Salvador Wildlife Management Area. Unauthorized fires have significantly impacted 6,000 acres of the WMA, where new cypress trees were recently planted.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) manages the Salvador Wildlife Management Area. This 36,000-acre protected environment serves as a critical refuge for fish and wildlife in St. Charles, Jefferson and Orleans Parishes. Unauthorized burning causes lasting damage to vegetation, disrupts migratory patterns, and contributes to erosion of our critical marshlands, which help protect residents from storm surge and absorb floodwaters.

Signage in the Salvador WMA will be installed in the coming weeks to remind hunters that burning is prohibited. Each violation may carry a fine of up to $1,000 and the potential revocation of licenses and permits, as per LA Revised Statute 56:109B.  Residents are urged to report any suspicious fire activity to the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center at (985) 783-5050 for investigation.

To learn more about the work that Restore the Earth Foundation has completed in the Salvador Wildlife Management Area and how fire has impacted it, watch this video.