DeWitt County, Texas, has issued a burn ban immediately, citing public safety hazards that are exacerbated by outdoor burning. The order, numbered 2024-7,2,3, was established by the DeWitt County Commissioners Court in response to the increased risk of wildfires during the current dry weather conditions.
The ban prohibits igniting any combustible material outside an enclosure designed to contain all flames and sparks. However, the order does allow for certain exceptions, particularly for certified prescribed burn managers who meet the requirements outlined in the Natural Resources Code, Chapter 153.
The exceptions to the ban include:
- Outdoor burning of brush piles by commercial contractors or landowners in areas devoid of vegetation.
- Burning in screen-covered containers with openings no larger than 1/2 inch.
- Outdoor burning related to welding activities, provided it is not malicious or intentional.
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Prescribed burns conducted by federal or state agencies, higher education institutions, or certified prescribed burn managers.
Individuals conducting burns under these exceptions must notify the DeWitt County Sheriff’s Dispatcher and the responsible fire department on the day of the burn, both before ignition and upon completion.
Violations of the burn ban are considered a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. Additionally, DeWitt County will seek restitution for fire calls resulting from illegal burns.
The burn ban is set to remain in effect for 90 days, expiring at midnight on September 12, 2024, unless the DeWitt County Commissioners Court determines that the circumstances no longer present a public safety hazard.
The County Judge also reserves the right to rescind the order if the conditions that necessitated the ban no longer exist. This decisive action by the DeWitt County Commissioners Court aims to mitigate the risk of uncontrolled wildfires and protect the community during this period of heightened fire danger.