At its June 5 meeting, the Hays County Commissioners Court placed the unincorporated areas (including extra territorial jurisdictions) of the county under an immediate burn ban following a report from Fire Marshal Clint Browning which cited a climbing drought index and concerns about grass fires in the county.
Charcoal, wood and gas grills with lids are exempt from the ban, but burning in “burn barrels” or fire pits (including ones with screens on the top) is not allowed. Grilling of any kind is prohibited at Hays County parks under a burn ban. Most cities already prohibit outdoor burning, but residents within city limits should check their city ordinances.
Browning told the Court that as of Tuesday morning, the drought index had reached 439, an almost 100-point climb from the same time last week. A poll of area fire chiefs also showed them being in favor of placing the ban in effect, he said. He urged persons using machinery outside to be extra cautious, as a number of fires have been caused recently by machinery sparks.
