Special To The Monitor

HENDERSON COUNTY‑ In a Facebook post Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney declared a local state of disaster Wednesday (Sept. 23) as prolonged drought and wildfire conditions continue to worsen across the county. The declaration adds new fire restrictions, activates the county’s Emergency Management Plan and is accompanied by a request for state assistance.
“It’s come to the point that we truly need to take some additional steps,” McKinney said.
The county reported that local fire departments responded to 151 wildfires between Aug. 11 and Sept. 19. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index averaged 716 in Henderson County on Wednesday, with a maximum reading of 788. The declaration says the county is now within the highest range of the index, indicating severe drought and increased wildfire danger.
“Our largest concern, of course, is for health and human safety,” McKinney said. “It wouldn’t take much, and a fire would move very quickly.”
The declaration continues the prohibition on outdoor burning and expands restrictions to include the use of fireworks. McKinney said the declaration does not prohibit the sale of fireworks, only their use.
Burning trash, brush, open campfires, and other outdoor activities involving combustible materials that could result in a fire are also prohibited. Outdoor cooking is still allowed.
The declaration also places additional requirements on outdoor welding, cutting, and grinding. Those activities cannot take place when winds exceed 15 mph. Grass, leaves, brush, and other combustible material must be cleared within a 20-foot radius, and a spotter with water and a pressurized delivery system must remain on site until the work is completed.
McKinney said drought conditions are also causing economic losses for farmers, ranchers, and timber producers. He cited lost forage, low stock tank levels, the need for supplemental livestock feed, and timber losses from wildfires.
The declaration says prolonged drought has reduced soil moisture, strained water resources, damaged pasture and rangeland, and increased the threat to timber and agricultural resources.
In a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott, McKinney said the damage has exceeded the county’s available resources and local recovery capabilities and that state assistance is needed to support response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.
The declaration took effect immediately and can remain in place for up to seven days without approval from Commissioners Court. McKinney said he expects the court to review the declaration next Tuesday and consider continuing it.