Merryville man charged with negligent burning

A 30-year-old Merryville man was arrested Sept. 25 on one count of negligent burning and violating the state burn ban, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF).

LDAF investigators allege Zachary Faulk started fires on his property Aug. 17 during the burn ban. The fires soon burned out of control onto adjacent lands because of extremely dry conditions. That fire over several days burned more than 600 acres south of Merryville and became known as the Bancroft Wildfire, according to LDAF.

Faulk surrendered officials on Sept. 25 and was booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail. Bond was set at $50,000. As of Monday (Oct. 2, 2023) morning, Faulk was not listed in a roster of inmates at the jail.

All persons accused of crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The public is urged to report any and all forestry-related crimes to the LDAF 24-hour hotline at 1-855-452-5323.