From Staff Reports
PALO PINTO – In a special meeting Tuesday, Palo Pinto County commissioners voted unanimously to order a 90-day ban on all outdoor burning.
The order states that commissioners “determined that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area of Palo Pinto County create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning.”
A handful of controlled burns that reportedly got out of control last week helped punctuate the hazardous conditions.
Smiddy said a couple of commissioners received comments from local departments supporting the ban. He attributed the need based on the current drop in humidity and increased temperatures.
“Several of our neighboring counties have put in place burn bans,” Smiddy said, citing Stephens, Eastland, Somervell, Erath and Wise counties that currently have bans in place.
Smiddy said he watches Eastland and Young counties regarding burn bans, “because of the similar circumstances that we faced in the past.”
The order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety and authorized by the Texas Natural Resources Commission for firefighting training, public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations, planting or harvesting of agricultural crops or burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager.
The ban allows the following activities:
• Outdoor burning when used solely for recreational and noncommercial preparation of food or exclusively as a means to provide warmth in cold weather (such as campfires and cooking fires).
• Outdoor cooking on gas fired or charcoal grills.
A violation of the county burn ban results in a Class “C” misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.
What does this mean for fireworks?
Although the ban does not prohibit fireworks, Smiddy urges citizens to attend one of the organized pyrotechnic shows around the area. “Enjoy it and you don’t have to worry about the danger,” he said.
By law, a citizen who starts any type of fire – either by burning trash or shooting off fireworks – that burns anyone’s property is civilly liable for any damage and can be charged with “reckless damages” – a Class C misdemeanor – according to Fire Marshal Barry Gill.
The Texas Forest Service warns that sparks from fireworks and other outdoor activities, combined with dry “fuels” like grass and shrubs, could start a devastating wildfire.
“Many Texans use fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July,” TFS Fire Operations Chief Mark Stanford said in a statement last week. “TFS encourages Texans to use fireworks safely. Citizens should be diligent in protecting themselves and their property from accidental wildfires.”
“Fireworks should only be used under close adult supervision and in safe areas, away from grass and brush,” said Sandra Taylor, TFS fire prevention specialist. “A water hose, bucket of water and wet towels should be kept nearby in case they are needed to stop small fires. Used fireworks should be disposed of in a bucket of water.”
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<font color="red"CAUTION"</FONT> COUNTY BURN BAN BACK IN PLACE
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