Hays County Reinstates Burn Ban For Unincorporated Areas
Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – Hays County on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, reinstated a burn ban for unincorporated areas (including extra territorial jurisdictions) of the County effective immediately. Charcoal, wood and gas grills with lids are exempt from the ban, but burning in “burn barrels” (including barrels with screens on the top) is not allowed. Grilling of any kind is prohibited at Hays County parks under a burn ban. Most cities already prohibit outdoor burning, but residents within city limits should check their city ordinances.
“The area fire chiefs and I agree that we’ve seen enough fire activity to make outdoor burning a concern,” Hays County Fire Marshal Clint Browning said. “We are getting closer to the 575 mark on the drought index and expect that we will hit it next week since chances of rain appear almost non-existent.”
Browning reminds citizens to keep a water source nearby when grilling outside, keep the grill away from the house or any other combustible materials, and never leave a grill unattended by an adult until you are certain it is properly extinguished.
