Saturday, September 14, 2024
Outdoor burning is officially prohibited in Hood County after the Hood County Commissioners Court enacted a 90-day burn ban Aug. 27. This move follows a previous announcement made by the Hood County Fire Marshal’s Office Aug. 20 that a burn ban was being put in place.
A burn ban is when restrictions are placed on outdoor activities that may cause fires. This includes outdoor burning and some welding activities.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Hood County Judge Ron Massingill joked that every time the county enacts a burn ban, it rains shortly thereafter.
“But I think we need it,” he added.
According to Deputy Fire Marshal Mike Stafford, the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index was at 622 as of Monday, Aug. 26, with the index increasing about 10 to 15 points a day.
The KBDI is an indicator used by the Texas Forest Service to relate recent and current weather conditions to expected fire behavior. Higher KBDI values indicate an increased fire risk due to lower fuel moisture. Drought conditions generally exist when the KBDI is greater than 575.
“With that, there’s no question that we need (a burn ban),” Massingill stated.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service’s burn ban web map, 132 counties in the state of Texas are currently under a burn ban.
During a county’s burn ban period, any outdoor burning could result in a $500 citation for violating the order.
The Hood County website states that outdoor welding is permitted during a ban, but only if a designated spotter is present with a water source for extinguishing any accidental fires.
While periods of rain help to relieve conditions that create a burn ban, the fact that it has rained does not lift the ban, the Hood County website states.
In accordance with Texas law, the ban is either on or off. Even though increased moisture and humidity help to reduce activity of fire, unless vegetation is in the growing phase, the fuel still contains little to no moisture, contributing to increased fire danger.
The Hood County Fire Marshal’s Office monitors the conditions daily during the time burn bans are in place and they will be lifted as soon as burning can be done safely.
For more information about burning in Hood County, visit the county’s new website at hoodcounty.texas.gov.
