Wet weather clears way for Burnet County to lift burn ban
BURNET — The Burnet County Commissioners Court lifted the burn ban during a regular meeting Jan. 8.
“We’ve been under a burn ban for a little more than a month now, and with the projections of (the county) getting between 1-3 inches of rain, the conditions were good to lift it,” said Herb Darling, the director of Burnet County environmental services.
A front pushing through the Highland Lakes on Jan. 8-9 is supposed to bring wet weather to the region.
According to Lower Colorado River Authority meteorologist Bob Rose, a “powerful trough of low pressure lifts northeast out of Mexico and tracks across western Texas. This system is expected to bring a widespread soaking rain to all the region.”
The area could even experience some thunderstorms, according to Rose’s weather blog at www.lcra.org.
The rain, which began falling as the commissioners discussed the burn ban, offers a bit of relief from two extremely dry months at the end of 2012.
The commissioners enacted the burn ban Nov. 27, 2012.
Despite the suspension of the ban, Darling said people need to notify the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office at (512) 756-8080 before conducting a burn, whether it’s for getting rid of brush piles or clearing land.
“They also need to pay attention to weather forecasts to see if a front is coming through,” he said. “And keep an eye on the wind speed.”
When conducting a burn, Darling said the individual needs to keep a cell phone on their person and stay with the fire until it is completely extinguished.
For more on the burn ban status, go to www.burnetcountytexas.org.
daniel@thepicayune.com