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December 10, 2020
Countywide burn ban reinstated
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi Goode
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera County commissioners unanimously approved the reinstatement of a burn ban, effective immediately. Tall, dry grass and cool days with low humidity have created the perfect setting for out-of-control fires, pushing volunteer fire fighters to the max this week, Fire Marshal John Stith said.
Yesterday, fire fighters spent “hours and hours” fighting a burn on the side of a hill. Many of the brush fires that have broken out this week were “because people are not paying as much attention as they should,” Stith told commissioners this morning.
“It’s a safety issue to put it back on,” Stith said.
Though the ban was lifted a few weeks ago after it rained, dry conditions have returned.
“We had a two-week window and a lot of people were able to burn,” Pct. 2 Commissioner Bobby Harris said, adding he was now in favor of a motion to prohibit outdoor burning.
County Judge Richard Evans said local government code gives him authority to lift a burn ban, though he cannot reinstate one without commissioners’ majority vote.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Jordan Rutherford suggested placing the burn ban status on every Commissioners’ Court agenda in the future for discussion and consideration.
“That’s every 14 days, so that will help the judge until the law changes,” Rutherford said.
After unanimous approval of the ban, commissioners also approved prohibiting certain fireworks, in anticipation of the New Year celebrations.
“It’s not to ban, but to prohibit those fireworks with sticks and fins,” Stith said said, explaining that while most fireworks go up in the air and dissipate, those with stick and fins often return to ground still ignited, and may land in neighbors’ yards.
Yesterday, fire fighters spent “hours and hours” fighting a burn on the side of a hill. Many of the brush fires that have broken out this week were “because people are not paying as much attention as they should,” Stith told commissioners this morning.
“It’s a safety issue to put it back on,” Stith said.
Though the ban was lifted a few weeks ago after it rained, dry conditions have returned.
“We had a two-week window and a lot of people were able to burn,” Pct. 2 Commissioner Bobby Harris said, adding he was now in favor of a motion to prohibit outdoor burning.
County Judge Richard Evans said local government code gives him authority to lift a burn ban, though he cannot reinstate one without commissioners’ majority vote.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Jordan Rutherford suggested placing the burn ban status on every Commissioners’ Court agenda in the future for discussion and consideration.
“That’s every 14 days, so that will help the judge until the law changes,” Rutherford said.
After unanimous approval of the ban, commissioners also approved prohibiting certain fireworks, in anticipation of the New Year celebrations.
“It’s not to ban, but to prohibit those fireworks with sticks and fins,” Stith said said, explaining that while most fireworks go up in the air and dissipate, those with stick and fins often return to ground still ignited, and may land in neighbors’ yards.