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Coryell County adopts 60-day countywide burn ban as drought index remains high
Summary
The commissioners adopted court order CC24-08 to prohibit and restrict outdoor burning countywide for 60 days after the county's drought severity index remained above critical thresholds; the motion passed unanimously at the meeting.
The Coryell County Commissioners Court on a voice vote adopted court order CC24-08, which prohibits and restricts outdoor burning throughout the county for a 60-day period. The county judge told the court he declared a local disaster and a short, seven-day burn restriction last week after an elevated drought index and recommended the longer order to reduce fire risk.
The judge cited the county's KBDI index remaining above 600 and said the order is authorized under the Local Government Code (§352.081) allowing the commissioner's court to prohibit or restrict outdoor burning during hazardous conditions. "I would recommend to the court to adopt CC24-08, which would prohibit and restrict outdoor burning, throughout Coryell County, for a period of 60 days," the judge said before the motion was made and seconded. The motion to adopt was moved by Commissioner Basham and seconded by Commissioner Taylor; the court voted and the motion carried.
The court did not specify penalties or an enforcement mechanism during the public portion of the motion; staff and emergency officials had earlier raised concerns about recent fires and coordinated with local fire chiefs and volunteer emergency communications. The order will remain in effect for the 60-day period unless the court takes further action. The court also noted that a prior seven-day order was expiring and that continued high KBDI readings and field reports motivated the longer restriction.
