Vernon Parish Fire District No. 1

04/01/2026

Today is a sad day for the Vernon Parish Fire District and the Hornbeck Fire Department. As we mourn the loss of one of our long time members Mr. Greg Lantier. Greg was always courteous , helpful and gave 100 %. He took Pride in whatever task he was ask to under take. Rest Easy Friend we'll take it from here.

Vernon Parish Fire District Board, Admin Office and Firefighters.

10/21/2024

Vernon Parish is under a Burn Ban until further notice...we are under drought conditions with no rain in the forecast...please don't burn anything during this time...if you have questions contact your local fire station, the fire district office or the police jury!

01/20/2024

On Monday January 22nd, there will be a PIAL meeting at 10:00 am with Randy Lowe and another meeting at 6:00 pm for those that can't make the morning meeting. Please share this with all Vernon Parish stations and chiefs!

11/16/2023

The Burn Ban has been lifted as of today, November 16, 2023 per the Vernon Parish Police Jury! We ask that everyone exercise caution and discretion when burning as conditions can change quickly!

11/16/2023

09/29/2023

Vernon Parish is under a Parish Wide Burn Ban. There is no burning of any kind allowed in the foreseeable future. We ask that all Vernon Parish citizens stay aware and report any burning to local authorities. Please do not call your local fire chiefs and ask for permission to burn, they cannot give you permission to burn anything at this time. Thank you for your understanding and help in keeping Vernon Parish safe from fire!

08/30/2023

🚨URGENT MEMO FOR LOUISIANA FIRE SERVICE MEMBERS🚨

Over the next 48 hours, we will be experiencing the worst weather-related fire danger in our state's history!! This will produce wildfire behavior never seen before by our personnel. This creates fire conditions that can cut off fire personnel without notice. This would be extremely dangerous for western firefighters with tremendous experience with these situations.

The following is guidance related to wildland firefighting-

•Firefighters should not perform any suppression activities in an area where vegetation exists. DO NOT GO INTO THE WOODS TO A FIGHT FIRE.
•DO NOT GET IN FRONT OF A MOVING FIRE FRONT (HEAD FIRE). You can be overrun within seconds.
•DO NOT WORK ALONE.
•When conducting structure protection:

(1)Direct fire streams on top of the structure.
(2)Park Fire Apparatus facing towards your escape route.
(3)Keep the windows of the vehicle rolled up to prevent burning embers from entering the cab.
(4)DO NOT turn the fire apparatus off.
(5)Have an escape plan

•If you do not know where the fire is or lose communications with command evacuate immediately to a safe area.
•If you have to evacuate leave the equipment and go.
•Call for forestry assets immediately upon receipt of a wildfire.
•If airdrops are occurring STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE during drops.
Wear PPE. No one should fight a fire without wearing PPE.
•STRICTLY adhere to the following wildfire LCES guidelines:

(1)Have a LOOKOUT. This person should be watching to assure the fire does not change with suppression folks awareness.
(2)Remain in constant COMMUNICATIONS with command.
(3)Have an ESCAPE ROUTE. You cannot outrun a moving wildfire
(4)Have a SAFETY ZONE. This can be a burned out area or other defensible space.

The ESF4 Desk is staffed and a state fire coordination center is opened at GOHSEP. Call with any needs to include immediate resource requests or backfill assistance for relief of volunteers or overtaxed staff.

If you have questions about wildland firefighting or require ANY TYPE of assistance call the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal or LDAF.

08/28/2023

Vernon Parish will have additional firefighters in the parish the next few days to assist our firefighters in firefighting operations. These firefighters are from all over the United States. They are here to give our people a break. We would like to thank these people for their assistance. We continue to ask for prayers!

08/27/2023

For Immediate Release: LDAF Requests Public Assistance Finding Arson Suspect

In the early morning hours of August 24, 2023, and throughout the day, multiple wildfires devastated the area near Union Hill in southwest Rapides Parish.

Investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Forestry Enforcement Division were able to determine these wildfires were caused by arson. LDAF Investigators, Louisiana State Fire Marshal Deputies, and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Detectives are actively investigating this matter.

If you or anyone you know have any information regarding these fires, investigators are urging you to call law enforcement. To report an arsonist, call the LDAF 24-hour hotline at 1-855-452-5323, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-473-6700, or the State Fire Marshal Office at 1-844-954-1221.

All calls are anonymous, and the Louisiana Forestry Association is offering up to a $2,000 cash reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime.

Note: All persons accused of any crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.