Colorado County burn ban in effect

COLUMBUS – On July 13, the county issued an emergency burn ban declaration that restricts outdoor burning.

A declaration signed by County Judge Ty Prause states that “due to the lack of rainfall and forecasted dry wind conditions, outdoor burning has become a public safety hazard which could threaten life and property in Colorado County.”

In addition to outdoor burning, outdoor cigarette/cigar smoking is also banned unless each cigarette/cigar and ashes are deposited into an appropriate receptable to extinguish combustion.

Some of the exceptions the declaration lists include household trash, which must be burned in a receptable that is enclosed and covered with a mesh material with no more than one-fourth inch openings, barbecues using above-ground grills with enclosed fireboxes in a safe area clear of debris or other combustible materials, controlled burns (for planting and harvesting agricultural crops) with a defensible space around the burn area and presence of fire suppression tools.

The county said non-profit and religious organizations are allowed to prepare a barbecue if they contact their local fire department in advance for a site visit.

Some of the other exceptions include maintenance activities by the Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge and outdoor welding. However, the declaration notes that welding, cutting and grinding associated with welding activities shall not take place when the wind is over 15 miles per hour. The welder to notify the Colorado County Sheriff’s Department before any welding activity begins and have a spotter with water and a ready pressurized delivery system on hand until the activity is completed.

The county said the burn ban does not prohibit outdoor burning activities authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, such as firefighting training, public utility, natural gas pipeline, mining operations, or burns conducted by a prescribed burn manager.

Supervising the fire in a safe area clear of debris is required for all of the exceptions listed.

All county volunteer fire departments and emergency management requests that prior to starting any controlled burning (woodpiles, fields, or large refuse piles), that residents call the Colorado County Communications Center at 979-732-2388, option 2, according to the county’s website. Residents will be asked to give their location and a contact number.

The county said this will help prevent needless dispatching of volunteer fire departments.