Burn Ban Lifted, For Now

The Fayette County Commissioner met this Friday morning, March 13, and decided against putting a burn ban in place for now. The County had been under a burn ban since last summer, but it expired on Sunday, March 8. The Commissioners met at 11:30 a.m. today to discuss and consider the ban.

The vote was 4-1 with Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff casting the dissenting vote. Berckenhoff said several of his constituents thought it was still too dry and windy, and they urged the County to put the burn ban back in place. 

However, the other Commissioners and County Judge Dan Mueller said they spoke with several of the fire chiefs in the County who were comfortable with keeping the ban lifted for now. The Commissioners Court will consider the burn ban again at their next meeting in two weeks, on March 26. They could even call an emergency meeting to put the burn ban back in place at an earlier date if needed.

Commissioners urged the public to exercise extreme caution when burning. Residents planning to burn should call the Sheriff’s Office at (979) 968-5856 to inform first responders. In addition the Commissioners urged everyone not to burn any fires this Sunday, March 15, when a cold front is expected to bring 40 mile-an-hour winds.