The Hays County Fire Marshal’s office notified the community that the countywide burn ban in the unincorporated areas of the county was lifted, effective at 11 a.m. on Oct. 5.
Outdoor burning in the areas designated requires residents to follow rules, specifically with respect to what kinds of materials may be burned. The county states on its website that the lifting of the burn ban “does not authorize burning of any material that is prohibited from being burned by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.” Listed prohibited materials for burning include: construction waste, household garbage, tires, rubber or plastic products, heavy oils, fiberglass products, oil-based materials and those types of materials that have the potential to produce what the county considers excessive amounts of smoke.
Based on the most recent data from the Keetch-Byram Drought Index which is used to determine forest fire potential in Hays County and Texas, the minimum rate observed in the county was 152, the maximum was 630, with an average of 396. In the last day, there was an observed positive change in the drought index of 5.
