Texas Fire World
July 11, 2005
Louis N. Molino, Sr.

Dry conditions throughout much of Texas have helped to fuel hundreds of grass and brush fires over the past month and that has taxed fire departments, many of which rely on volunteers. Continued hot, dry weather has lead to burn bans in four more counties just in this second week of July. These counties are Goliad, DeWitt, Wharton and Matagorda. Burn bans were approved in the counties of Victoria, Bee, Fayette and Colorado counties in the first week of the month.

When the Goliad County Commissioners Court enacted a 90-day countywide burn ban County Judge Harold Gleinser stated "There's a lot of fuel out there." He further added that while "pastures are eaten down pretty good, but there are still a lot of weeds and stuff out there that animals don't eat."

Under the ban, household trash may only be burned in a barrel covered with mesh no larger than one-fourth of an inch, the judge said. Farmers and ranchers who need to burn for agricultural purposes must first fill out a form available at the judge's office.

The ban in Matagorda County's went into effect immediately after the commissioner's court approved it. Throughout Texas official records show June is among the driest on the books.

Burn bans specifically prohibit the use of fire to destroy brush piles, trash or any other debris that requires an open flame to burn.

The DeWitt County Commissioners Court approved a resolution restricting outdoor burning effective for 90 days unless the commissioners lift the restriction before then. It allows for burning in screen-covered containers with half-inch or smaller openings and does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety issues. Those include firefighter training, public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations, planting or harvesting of agricultural crops or burns conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under the Texas Natural Resources Code.

Possibilities of burn bans may be on the agendas for next week court meetings in Refugio and Karnes counties.