We’re Still in Burn Ban – As Illegal Fire Torches 10 Acres

County Judge Dan Mueller has visited with Emergency Management Coordinator Angela Hahn, Sheriff Keith Korenek, other law enforcement personnel and volunteer firemen and they have concluded that the burn ban will stay in place. County staff have been hearing from citizens requesting that the burn ban be lifted. County Judge Dan Mueller says, “We have a very unfortunate situation and we realize people want to burn, however we are in the middle of an extreme drought. I believe lifting the burn ban at such a dry time is not in the best interest of the County as a whole.”

A man near Cistern was cited for illegally burning last Thursday, Jan. 29, after allegedly starting a small fire that ultimately burned 10 acres and a storage building.

Muldoon Fire Chief Stephen Kelly said his department got the call around 1:49 p.m. reporting a fire near the intersection of FM 2237 and Anchor Ranch Loop. Kelly said about two acres were burning, threatening several structures when he arrived at the scene. He immediately called for assistance from Flatonia Fire and Rescue.

“We had difficulty getting through the gate to protect the four structures,” Kelly said. “The fire had burned up to them. We cut off one side of the grass fire, but then the wind shifted.”

One of the buildings, a large storage shed, caught fire. By that time, the grass fire spread to 10 acres. The Fayette County Pct. 3 Road and Bridge Department and the Texas Forest Service also arrived to assist. Firefighters tackled the grass fire and were able to save the three other structures that were threatened by the flames, including a residence. Kelly the two departments responded with 10 firefighters and five fire trucks, not including the County and Forest Service personnel who also assisted.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office investigated the fire, Kelly said, and they issued a citation to a man on the property for illegally burning since Fayette County is currently under a burn ban.

Kelly said all the first responders cleared the scene around 6 p.m.