Smith, Van Zandt Counties Lift Burn Bans

EAST TEXAS — Following this past weekend’s heavy rains, the number of East Texas counties rescinding their burn bans continues to grow, with Smith and Van Zandt Counties joining the list Tuesday. Interim Smith County Fire Marshal Connie Wasson recommended to the Commissioners Court that the burn ban be lifted, according to a news release. She said the drought index is at 37, the lowest she has seen it in a long time. She also noted that more rain is expected this weekend. Wasson said the Fire Marshal’s Office does have sandbags for Smith County residents who might need them if heavy rains continue.

County Judge Joel Baker said since the burn ban was implemented by the entire Commissioners Court on October 13, it was necessary to wait for the entire court to vote on whether to rescind it. He said there were questions from the public on why the court didn’t lift the burn ban over the weekend. Baker thanked everyone for their “understanding and patience,” urging residents always to be cautious while burning and make sure to check wind and weather conditions.

Meanwhile, KETK reports Van Zandt County is now giving residents the OK to burn outdoors, but officials there advise residents to be extremely careful if they choose to burn. Van Zandt County authorities remind you that if you set a fire and it burns someone else’s property, you are subject to criminal and civil actions. They say the ground is wet and firefighters may not be able to drive their trucks to extinguish the fire, and may have to revert to fighting it with brooms and blowers. Other counties no longer prohibiting outdoor burning include Gregg, Wood, Upshur, Rusk, Nacogdoches, Camp, Panola, Rains, Anderson, Cass, Harrison, Hopkins, Marion, Morris, and Angelina.