NO OUTDOOR BURNING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY TODAY (TUESDAY)
In accordance with a state statute, the Washington County Firefighters Association has announced that outdoor burning is prohibited in the county today (Tuesday).
Due to the winds being forecasted to be above the allowable wind speed, the Firefighters Association made the announcement earlier this (Tuesday) morning.
The statute says in order for outdoor burning to be allowed the winds have to be between 6 mph and 23 mph.
The current forecast has winds getting up to 25-30 mph during the course of the day.
The winds along with temperatures in the low 80’s, and humidity over 40% create a higher risk for fire potential.
The statute can be found at (Page 11 is where is discusses wind speed):
www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/publications/rg/outdoor-burning-in-texas-rg-49.pdf
Question: (and thanks for posting that link to the statutes) It appears that there are restrictions on burns, as there should be. But I didn’t see any wording that allows an “official” ban. For example, it says no burns if the winds are over 23MPH. A very sensible rule. But where does it say the WCFFA has the ability make it an “official ban”? I can see publicizing the rules, and making recommendations, etc. But to “announce that it’s prohibited”. Again, didn’t see that in the statute.
Thanks, and look forward to hearing how this statute works, and is applied.
Burning prohibited “today”!! Really!! There should be a burn ban statewide!! Half of our state is either currently burning or has burnt recently! Be smart people!!
Burn bans are permitted for county judges to put in place after certain criteria are met. Those criteria mainly deal with the drought monitor and the stages of drought as well as fire dept call volume. Washington Co is currently not in drought per the KBDI drought monitor. Burn bans are meant as a tool when all other tools have failed. Tools such as prevention efforts through all media forms have shown to be effective and many times burn bans are not needed. It has been the stance for a couple of years now, in Washington County, that a burn ban be the last resort option when all other options have failed. As well we want the citizens to make the right choice after education, instead of big government dictating what a person should or should not do.
No. That is silly. There are 254 counties, 7 regions, and a they are all very different.
What is good for the pan handle or big bend is not always good for the prairies and lakes or the piney woods.
People need to burn, they just need to be smart and listen, use common sense.