Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety.fire topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lavaca County keeps burn ban off as fire chiefs back mutual‑aid agreement
Summary
County fire chiefs told commissioners the drought index is elevated but advised against a countywide burn ban; the court approved a mutual‑aid agreement for local fire departments and urged residents to report fires to the sheriff. Court Order 19902 was recorded.
County officials on Feb. 9 opted not to impose a countywide burn ban even as local fire officials warned of elevated fire risk.
Tim Decker of the Lavaca County Fire Chiefs Association told the commissioners the Keetch‑Byram Drought Index was 506 as of the previous day and said, “The Fire Chiefs are comfortable with leaving the Burn Ban off. Exercise caution with burning and report all fires to the Sheriff's office at 361‑798‑2121.” The court heard the advisory and made no motion to impose a ban.
The court did approve a Mutual Aid Agreement for the Lavaca County Fire Chiefs Association, a formal arrangement intended to coordinate assistance among local departments. Commissioner Kenny W. Siegel moved the approval; Commissioner Dennis W. Kocian seconded, and the motion carried by recorded vote (County Judge Keith Mudd — yes; Commissioner Edward Pustka — absent; Commissioner Wayne Faircloth — yes; Commissioner Kenny W. Siegel — yes; Commissioner Dennis W. Kocian — yes). The action was entered as Court Order 19902.
Why it matters: County leaders said the agreement will help departments share resources during larger incidents or when local capacity is strained. The court’s decision to leave the burn ban off places responsibility on residents and landowners to burn cautiously and on local agencies to enforce existing statutes and county routing or permitting rules if violations occur.
Next steps: The court did not set a new burn‑ban review date in the public discussion recorded on Feb. 9; commissioners will consider conditions at future meetings and the Fire Chiefs’ guidance if the local KBDI or other conditions change.
