Nueces County commissioners adopted a countywide burn ban during their regular meeting on Aug. 20 as windy, dry conditions persist throughout South Texas.
With no rain in the forecast, grass, brush and trees will continue to dry out, contributing to a high fire danger where small sparks can quickly lead to uncontrollable fires that start and spread rapidly, according to the Nueces County Office of Emergency Management.
“One careless fire can easily escalate,” said Dee Hawkins, the emergency management coordinator. “This is why we include beach bonfires — any fire embers floating in the air can quickly ignite grass fires.”
The burn ban order, effective immediately, prohibits all outdoor burning, including beach bonfires, in all unincorporated areas of Nueces County for 90 days, according to a news release.
However, if conditions change before that time has expired, County Judge Connie Scott may rescind the restrictions.
Household trash burning is allowed only if trash pickup is not available. If trash pickup is not available, an enclosed container such as a metal barrel may be used, and only if it has a spark- and flame-arresting screen over the top of the container.
Noncommercial cooking activities such as backyard barbecues are still permitted. Outdoor welding and other “hot work” must comply with fire code requirements.
As of Aug. 20, 79 counties across Texas had burn bans in place, according to the Texas A&M University Forest Service.
The ban does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for firefighting training, public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations, planting or harvesting of agricultural crops, or burns that are conducted by a certified and insured prescribed burn manager.
Knowing or intentionally violating the order can result in a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to a $500.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Burn ban in effect for Nueces County beginning Aug. 20
Reporting by Katie Nickas, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
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