The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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September 1, 2010

Burn ban in effect despite rain showers

By Matthew Jackson Staff Reporter

HUNTSVILLE — The Walker County Commissioners Court Monday night approved a 90-day, countywide burn ban effective at 8 a.m. Tuesday as dry conditions persist throughout the county.

The ban was recommended by county Emergency Management Coordinator Butch Davis, who said Tuesday that though scattered showers were moving through the county, the rain was not enough to lift the fire danger.

“We’re just getting spotted rains,” Davis said. “There’s places in the county that are not getting a good substantial amount of rain to get the ground where this fuel won’t spread when it catches fire.”

Davis said that even in the wake of afternoon showers, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which the county uses regularly to determine fire danger, was reading at 683. On the KDBI scale, lower numbers mean a decreased fire danger.

“When we get to 600 or better then we’re getting into a pretty severe situation,” Davis said. “(Huntsville Fire Chief Tom Grisham) starts talking to me prior to us getting to 600. When we get to 600 we need a burn ban.”

Davis said the KBDI numbers spiked to above 600 over the weekend, leading officials to recommend a burn ban until substantial rain lowers the chance of fire danger.

“This is a very bad time of the year for fires. We had a grass fire down on Fish Hatchery this afternoon, and this was after the rain,” Davis said. “This vegetation is very volatile. We’ve got a lot of fuel out there that will burn very quickly, so that’s why we continued the burn ban.”

Davis said the ban applies to all outdoor burning, including land clearance and trash incineration. Residents are allowed to use outdoor grills or barbecue pits, but are asked to use caution.

The ban will remain in effect for 90 days or until Walker County Judge Danny Pierce orders the ban lifted. After 90 days, if the ban is still in effect, the matter will once again go before the commissioners.

To report illegal burning, contact the Walker County Communications Center at (936) 435-8001.

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