burn ban

HENDERSON COUNTY–Henderson County Commissioners’ Court voted Sept. 3 to extend the burn ban for 28 days, to Oct. 1, before the ban issued Aug. 20 expired the day after Labor Day.
According to the court’s discussion, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index as of Sept. 2 averaged 657 across the county, with a reading of 525 in the eastern end and a mark of 720 in the western part. County Judge Wade McKinney said County Fire Marshal Shane Renberg recommended the burn ban continue.

KAUFMAN–During the regular Kaufman County commissioners court meeting Aug. 20, Fire Marshal Chief Investigator Mike Taylor informs county commissioners of the recent increase of fires in the county. With the Aug. 19 temperature of 107 degrees, Taylor applauds the fire department for their work in handling the fires. Considering the county is about a week away from finishing the burning of debris by recent storms, Taylor offers a one-week grace period on the burn ban for the county. It was also mentioned that the fire department has purchased new signs for the burn ban.

HENDERSON COUNTY–Henderson County Commissioners’ Court voted unanimously Aug. 20 to approve a resolution opposing applying biosolids in Henderson County.
Before the vote, citizen commenter Randy Robertson described it “as kind of a crusade because of how dangerous this stuff is and how it will impact all our lives.” Robertson added, “You will be surprised how many of your constituents are on board,” saying he “hope(s) the whole state of Texas does away with it.”

HENDERSON COUNTY–Sept. 18, Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney terminated the local state of disaster for wildfires that has been in effect since Aug. 22, the county announced on social media.
Henderson County has experienced just two wildfires in the past seven days, and the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) has fallen substantially, the county continued. The KBDI is maintained by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M Forest Service and is used to determine fire potential.

HENDERSON COUNTY–Henderson County Commissioners’ Court voted to enact a burn ban starting Aug. 1, which lasts 28 days to line up with a later court meeting, which convenes weekly on Tuesdays.
County Fire Marshal Shane Renberg told the court that the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) jumped about 70 points this past week. KBDI measures items such as soil moisture, ranging from zero being totally wet to 800 representing absolutely dry conditions, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

KAUFMAN COUNTY–Commissioners voted to issue a burn ban during the regular meeting Aug. 1. Fire Marshall Paul Ayres told commissioners that during this time of year, conditions often make burning dangerous, and this season is already proving to be high-risk.
Ayres went on to tell commissioners that the first major grass fire of the season occurred last week when 20 acres ignited as a result of bailing hay. He stated that grass is currently completely cured, making it a very fast burn, and that over the coming days, conditions will continue to get dryer.

HENDERSON COUNTY–Commissioners’ Court of Henderson County decided not to implement a county burn ban Oct. 18 but urged the public to continue exercising caution.
County Fire Marshal Shane Renberg told the court that the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for Henderson County dropped 38 points because of recent rains. As of Oct. 17, the county’s drought index average was 578, which he said was “right at that threshold of putting on a burn ban. I still think we’re in great shape.”

HENDERSON COUNTY–Commissioners’ Court of Henderson County discussed burn ban conditions Oct. 11 but decided not to implement an open-fire prohibition with chances of rain in the forecast.
County Fire Marshal Shane Renberg said some counties to the south of Henderson County have implemented a burn ban. He also said Henderson County averaged 587 on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index as of Oct. 10, technically exceeding the 575 threshold for considering a burn ban.

HENDERSON COUNTY–Commissioners’ Court of Henderson County approved lifting the drought-related disaster declaration Aug. 23, which the county has been under since late July.
In addition, according to the county’s official Facebook page, County Judge Wade McKinney followed that by directing County Fire Marshal Shane Renberg that McKinney would lift the countywide burn ban that has been in effect since June 21.

CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Fire departments everywhere in Texas have been kept busy with worsening drought conditions leading to easily spread wildfires. A piece of glass on the side of the road will assist in igniting a fire that puts homes, businesses and livestock at risk. Mid-July a wildfire that succeeded in burning 100 acres outside Eustace was started by a spark from a chain on a vehicle.