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Smith County Issues Burn Ban

Posted/updated on: October 14, 2015 at 11:30 am
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burn-ban_2TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to implement a burn ban in the county. Fire Marshal Jay Brooks recommended the burn ban, according to a news release. He said the county has been lucky that it hasn’t had any large fires with no rain in the last several weeks. But since dry air began moving from the Northwest today, coupled with low humidity and wind, he said it was a good time to enforce a burn ban. Brooks said the KBI Index is at 734, and weather conditions were taken into account when deciding whether to recommend a burn ban. Brooks expects the dry air, wind and low humidity to continue throughout next week and possibly throughout the fall season.

Tuesday’s burn ban is the second this year for Smith County. On August 6, County Judge Joel Baker issued an emergency county-wide disaster declaration due to rapidly increasing wildfire conditions. On August 11, the burn ban was rescinded at the request of Brooks after the county received several days of rain. Brooks said when considering a burn ban, officials balance the economic impact of imposing a burn ban versus life safety concerns if they do not. Baker cautioned all Smith County residents to consider the seriousness of the burn ban, saying it’s intended to protect citizens, their families, ands their property.

KETK reports anyone who does not follow the order is subject to a large fine. Outside cooking is allowed if the grill is covered. Rains County is the only East Texas county that is not under a burn ban. Go to the Texas A&M Forest Service website — http://tfsfrp.tamu.edu/wildfires/DecBan.png — for a statewide burn ban map .



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