Rains allow lifting of burn ban

There was still muddy ground throughout San Marcos Tuesday morning as the Hays County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to lift the ban on outdoor burning. 

Fire Marshal Clint Browning credited recent rainfall, including Monday’s summer storm, in the decision. “As you know, we got some rain,” he said. The weather pattern that began on July 4 came just in time to diminish the danger of fireworks, he noted. Though he was concerned about what were dry condition, Browning said that he ended up getting no reports of fireworks-related fires.

The county’s KBDI Drought Index prior to July 4 had edged up to 620 on the scale that runs from zero to 800. After the July 4 rains it had dropped to 528 and on Tuesday, it was 425.

Browning said while some areas received up to two inches of rainfall on Monday, the average countywide was half an inch. “I believe we have come to a point where we are safe,” he told commissioners, but added, “This is summer — we could still return to drought-like conditions.”

Browning told the court that fire chiefs throughout the county agreed with him. He also urged residents to take precautions with any outdoor burning. “Make sure you have a water source available, and your fire should always be attended by a responsible adult. Too often fires are left unattended and are out of control before anyone realizes it.”

For additional cautions and tips on responsible outdoor burning, visit the county’s website at co.hays.tx.us.

The county can restore the burn ban at any time conditions warrant. Currently there is no more rain in the forcast for Central Texas.

Comal County also lifted its burn ban on Tuesday but the ban in Caldwell County remains in effect.