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Young County enacts countywide burn ban after volunteer fire chiefs warn of extreme dryness
Summary
Young County Commissioners Court voted 5-0 to place the county under a burn ban after volunteer fire departments and emergency management officials reported very dry conditions and recent fire starts.
The Young County Commissioners Court voted 5-0 to enact a countywide burn ban after volunteer fire chiefs and emergency management coordinators urged action because of extremely dry conditions.
Commissioners debated the measure during the meeting and heard that local volunteer fire chiefs and emergency management coordinators have asked for a ban, citing recent incidents and very dry vegetation. The court’s mover, Commissioner Riley, made the motion to impose the burn ban; Commissioner Cresswell seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
County officials said the county judge retains the authority to lift the burn ban outside of a formal meeting if the judge receives broad concurrence from the county’s volunteer fire chiefs and emergency management coordinators via the county’s emergency communications group. The judge described receiving regular input from about 15 local emergency contacts and said he would consult that group before acting to lift a ban outside a meeting.
The commissioners also discussed the ability to issue short, temporary bans (for example, one weekend) and agreed the preference is to act collectively at a court meeting when possible. The judge said he would circulate the draft burn-ban language to commissioners before signing so they could review the list of permitted and prohibited activities.
The court placed the burn ban into effect with a unanimous vote and directed staff to make the ban language available to the public.
