Download & Print
March 27, 2025
Countywide burn ban extended
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera County commissioners today extended the countywide burn ban, which was due to expire April 8.
Fire Marshal Jason Rutherford recommended the extension, advising the court to at the very least, allow the current ban to continue until its expiration date. Rutherford said the rain, while beneficial, may not be enough to douse surface fire fuels once drier conditions and higher temperatures return this weekend.
“If we do this, this way, we don’t have a gap,” County Judge Richard Evans said, adding he has the authority to lift a ban after consulting the fire marshal, but to implement a ban he must have court approval.
Rutherford said his office has been inundated with burn ban requests, and he advised his staff to not tolerate abusive callers.
“People don’t understand the facts. They think if it rains they can burn. They don’t know how to read the weather,” Rutherford said, acknowledging people may still defy the ban.
On Red Flag Warning Days, no burning of any kind is permitted, including household trash in barrels, small burn pits or barbecuing. Welding, cutting and grinding are also restricted on Red Flag days.
The burn ban will continue for 90 days, unless lifted by Evans.
Fire Marshal Jason Rutherford recommended the extension, advising the court to at the very least, allow the current ban to continue until its expiration date. Rutherford said the rain, while beneficial, may not be enough to douse surface fire fuels once drier conditions and higher temperatures return this weekend.
“If we do this, this way, we don’t have a gap,” County Judge Richard Evans said, adding he has the authority to lift a ban after consulting the fire marshal, but to implement a ban he must have court approval.
Rutherford said his office has been inundated with burn ban requests, and he advised his staff to not tolerate abusive callers.
“People don’t understand the facts. They think if it rains they can burn. They don’t know how to read the weather,” Rutherford said, acknowledging people may still defy the ban.
On Red Flag Warning Days, no burning of any kind is permitted, including household trash in barrels, small burn pits or barbecuing. Welding, cutting and grinding are also restricted on Red Flag days.
The burn ban will continue for 90 days, unless lifted by Evans.