burn ban

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 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.