Burn bans back after planned fires go wild, risk rises
The Burnet County Commissioners Court reinstated a burn ban Monday, March 3, after a series of planned fires got out of control over the weekend. The cities of Granite Shoals and Marble Falls are also under burn bans in response to a heightened fire risk.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning in south-central Texas for Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. due to strong wind gusts and low relative humidity in the forecast. Officials warn that fire conditions will be very high to extreme, meaning any wildfire that ignites could spread rapidly and be difficult to contain.
According to Burnet County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio, high winds played a major role in the 14 out-of-control burns this weekend. Marchio spoke about the current fire risk during a special meeting of the Commissioners Court on Monday morning.
“We had 14 total reported incidents between Friday (Feb. 28) and Sunday (March 2),” he said. “One of them was a rekindle from a fire that had been put out on Friday, but with 35-mph winds on Sunday, embers reignited and caused additional flare-ups.”
While none of the fires reportedly resulted in major damage, officials stress a critical need for safety measures. Marchio also noted that controlled burns conducted by certified managers under an approved burn plan are still allowed.
In Burnet County officials, controlled burns must follow strict safety guidelines, which include:
- Not burning when winds exceed 23 mph.
- Clearing at least a 6-foot radius around burn piles.
- Ensuring proper monitoring of fires at all times.
Neighboring counties have taken similar actions, with Blanco County reinstating a burn ban Sunday. Llano County has been under a burn ban since Jan. 6.
Residents can check burn ban statuses on the websites for the Texas A&M Forest Service or Burnet County.