Background
Louisiana’s wildfire season typically spans multiple phases, reflecting the state’s humid subtropical climate and varied vegetation conditions.
The primary wildfire season usually begins in mid-August—lasting up to 33 weeks—peaking between late summer and early fall when accumulated dry vegetation and reduced humidity create favorable conditions for ignitions and fire spread. [1]
Dry periods, often related to broader regional drought trends, have increasingly influenced fire risk. In spring 2025, climatological assessments forecasted expanding drought from Texas into Louisiana, raising expectations for early-season fire activity. [2]
While lightning strikes play a role in igniting natural fires, human activity—particularly debris burning, agricultural burns, and accidental sources—accounts for the majority of wildfire starts in Louisiana. [3]
Looking ahead, climate change projections indicate that Louisiana may face a 25% increase in wildfire risk by 2050. This heightened threat is expected to be concentrated in southwestern inland, east-central, and northwestern regions, driven by rising temperatures, more frequent drought periods, and expanding development into wildland-urban interface zones. [4]
