Officials issue statewide no flame tailgating advisory ahead of LSU home opener

LSU is not only known for having one of the most prestigious football programs in all of college football, but they’re also known for having one of the best gameday atmospheres and tailgating experiences. Unfortunately for Tiger fans, their tailgating festivities will have to be limited for their home opener.

Due to unprecedented fire conditions across the state of Louisiana, a state-wide burn ban remains in effect for this weekend’s home opener against Grambling. Fans are asked to comply with the Louisiana fire marshal’s order to tailgate this weekend with no open flames, according to WAFB.

Ahead of Labor Day weekend last weekend, the governor of Louisiana was also asking fans to avoid grilling.

Amid dry, hot and fire-friendly conditions across much of the south and particularly Louisiana, the governor was asking residents to make a sacrifice to prevent wildfires: Avoid grilling. Not exactly an easy ask with the kickoff of college football, but a sacrifice being asked amid a statewide burn ban.

“This weekend is Labor Day. We know that typically involves a lot of cookouts and barbecues, especially with the return of football… And I’m asking that people not engage in barbecuing and so forth outside where a fire can start,” governor John Bel Edwards said. “Let’s be patient. Let’s not create more work for firefighters across the state of Louisiana.”

Wildfires have burned more than 60,000 acres so far, mostly in the southwest portion of the state. With current weather conditions ripe for spreading the fire or starting more, a state-wide burn ban has been put into effect.

The state also banned open flames at tailgates across the state last weekend.

“While tailgating, no open flames will be permitted. This includes all tailgating activities such as grilling (propane, pellets, charcoal, or otherwise), grill pits, fire pits, fireworks and sparklers. Generators will be allowed in tailgating areas as long as they are elevated off the ground,” a statement from Louisiana athletics said.

As far as the game is concerned this weekend, LSU (0-1) will look to rebound from their second half collapse against the Florida State Seminoles (1-0) last weekend. The Tigers will welcome the return of the services of Maason Smith, who’s expected to be one of the most highly disruptive forces in all of college football. Smith was suspended for the first game of the season, due to being suspended by the NCAA.

LSU and Grambling are set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Sept. 9. The game will be televised on ESPN+ and SEC Network+.

On3’s Andrew Graham also contributed to this article.