County burn ban lifted

Following the rainfall that brought at least temporary relief from the brutal summer heat and made a notable dent in the drought for many North Central Texas counties earlier this week, Hood County’s burn ban was lifted late Wednesday morning (Aug. 24).

Fire Marshal Jeff Young said that he and County Judge Ron Massingill discussed the latest drought index numbers and made the call to lift the ban, which had been put in place in late June. The HCN reported that the thunderstorm brought 6 inches to areas in northern Hood County and 3-4 inches to areas in southern Hood Sunday and Monday.

Young also noted that he received a report that one location in Hood County may have received more than 7 inches of rain — and some actually “didn’t get a drop” during that time frame.

Young told the HCN by email, “The KBDI (drought index) update originally showed a one point increase on Monday and Tuesday this week. I have even called the Texas Forest Service representative to ask if the updates were accurate. As of today (Wednesday, Aug. 24), I believe they went in and corrected to KBDI reports to reflect the rain we got. After the numbers were corrected, I contacted the Judge to get his opinion on the burn ban. He and I agreed that with the KBDI at a 459, the burn ban could be lifted.”

Young explained further in the email, saying, “When it comes to burn bans, the county judge has the authority to put an emergency seven-day burn ban in effect at any time. He can do that two consecutive times, or 14 days. If after the 14-day period it is determined it is necessary for a 90-day burn ban, that is done in Commissioners Court. The (county) judge also has the authority to lift the ban at any time. So once the correct data was received today (Aug. 24), the judge agreed with me that the burn ban could be lifted.”