Co. Judge Lifts The Burn Ban

County Judge Dan Mueller lifted the burn ban on Thursday morning, Dec. 26.

The ban on outdoor burning had been in place since Sept. 26. It was set to expire on Wednesday, Dec. 25. But at their meeting on Monday, Dec. 23, the Commissioners Court decided to extend it due to lingering dry conditions.

Commissioners also expressed concern for volunteer firefighters who might have to leave their families on Christmas Day to put out grass fires.

With rain in the forecast, The Commissioners authorized the County Judge to lift the ban if conditions improved over the Christmas holiday.

Mueller exercised that authority after welcome rainfall came on Christmas Eve.

“As we know, all of Fayette County received rainfall Tuesday evening, Christmas Eve,” Mueller said in a statement on Thursday. “Obviously some areas got more than others. In the southwestern part of Fayette County some residents received four and five inches of rain. Some areas did not get as much, but all areas got some needed rainfall.”

Mueller said he and Fayette County Emergency Management Coordinator Angela Hahn with the fire departments, County Commissioners and Sheriff Keith Korenek before making the decision.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average for Fayette County was at 458 on an 800 point scale, which amounts to a moderate drought stage. The County’s average was above 700 at the beginning of December.

“Lifting the burn ban means the public is allowed to do controlled outdoor burning,” Mueller said. “Please use common sense. Some grasses are still dry and a fire can readily get out of control. If you are having a controlled burn, you are asked to call and advise the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department at (979) 968-5856.”