Fort Bend County Commissioners Court issues burn ban

Contributed Report
Posted 6/22/22

The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court Tuesday approved an outdoor burn ban for unincorporated areas of the county. Commissioners took this action at a special called emergency meeting,

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Fort Bend County Commissioners Court issues burn ban

Posted

The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court Tuesday approved an outdoor burn ban for unincorporated areas of the county. Commissioners took this action at a special called emergency meeting,

Due to drought conditions and the high risk of fire dangers, the ban limits the use of open flames which includes the burning of trash, campfires, burn barrels, and other open flame devices, that can ignite combustible materials and result in personal injury, property damage, and loss of life.

“With the passing of the burn ban, I would ask that our Fort Bend County residents also exercise extreme caution with the use of fireworks as they celebrate over the 4th of July weekend,” County Judge KP George said. “Because of the extremely dry conditions, we don’t want to risk the safety of our resident and their property. Additionally, we don’t want to over-extend our fire and emergency medical service personnel due to a high number of preventable emergency calls.”

Fort Bend County is currently experiencing drought conditions due to extreme record-setting high temperatures. Based on the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s findings, and in alignment with The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, commissioners decided that circumstances present in the county might create a public safety hazard.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is used in determining forest fire potential. The drought index is based on a daily water balance, where a drought factor is balanced with precipitation and soil moisture measurements. The drought index ranges from 0 to 800, where a drought index of 0 represents no moisture depletion, and an index of 800 represents absolutely dry conditions. Currently, Fort Bend County’s index is at 665. It is predicted to be over 700 by the weekend.

George is authorized to sign an order rescinding this declaration and order if he determines, upon consultation with the county fire marshal, that drought conditions or hazardous circumstances no longer exist.

Fort Bend County, burn ban