Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Last month, a grassfire fueled by high winds caused an emergency evacuation in Lipan.
The Commissioners Court, at its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 12, extended the ban on outdoor burning for another 90 days.
Fire Marshal Jeff Young said that even though rain was in the forecast, he believed that the ban should be extended due to the number of recent Red Flag Warnings.
A Red Flag Warning is issued when warm temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
County officials can lift the ban if conditions improve.
The county has been under a burn ban since January. An emergency ban was put in effect on Jan. 10 because of drought conditions, and the Commissioners Court voted unanimously to impose a 90-day moratorium at a regular meeting later that month.
Precautions allow for the use of smokers, barbecue grills, Solo Stoves, and chimeneas as long as they are monitored and extinguished.
Outdoor welding must be done with a spotter with a water source to stop grass fires.
Burning yard debris is not allowed for now.
The fire marshal’s office has been issuing citations to violators.
