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Cooke County lifts burn ban after forestry briefing; commissioners urge caution
Summary
Following a report that local conditions have improved, commissioners voted unanimously to remove the county burn ban but repeated advisories to call county dispatch and to use caution when burning brush piles.
Cooke County commissioners voted unanimously to lift the county burn ban after a briefing from a county official who said the local fire-risk category has dropped with recent spring precipitation.
Chair asked Graham to brief the court, and Graham said guidance from the Texas Forester Service places the county in a lower-risk category now that spring precipitation has begun. "We're starting to get that spring precipitation in now," Graham said, adding that "we've got us in the lowest threat category for the foreseeable future." He recommended removing the ban while reminding residents to call county dispatch before conducting any burns and to avoid burning in fuel-loaded or still-dry fields.
Chair moved to remove the burn ban and a commissioner seconded; the motion passed 5–0. Members emphasized that removal of the ban does not eliminate risk and urged residents to exercise caution. "If there are any brush piles that need to be burned, please call it in first, to the county dispatch," Graham said.
The court did not specify a new formal process or timeline beyond the unanimous vote; the transcript records the advisory to contact county dispatch and to be cautious when burning.
