At their weekly meeting today, Comal County commissioners voted to implement a burn ban for unincorporated areas of the county.
The burn ban goes into effect at 6 a.m. Friday.
Today’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is 517, and due to high temperatures and extended drought, is expected to rise 10-12 points a day.
“We’re getting into a pretty dangerous situation here,” said county Fire Marshal Kory Klabunde.
By law, commissioners must implement an order prohibiting all outdoor burning when the KBDI exceeds 500 points.
The burn ban will remain in effect for 90 days or until there is significant rainfall countywide and the KBDI drops below the burn-ban threshold far enough for the ban to be lifted.
“We know lots of you rely on regular burns to manage brush, but with the heat and lack of rain, it’s just too risky right now,” county spokesperson Cary Zayas said. “Please help keep your neighbors, homes and first responders safe.”
Not Allowed
Not allowed when a burn ban is in effect are:
- Campfires of any size
- Chimineas
- Fire pits
- Fire rings
- Bonfires (any size, day or night)
- Burn piles (day or night)
- Burn piles (glowing embers)
- Household waste (day or night in a container that contains sparks and/or flames)
- Household waste (not in a container that contains all sparks and/or flames
- Non-wood construction materials
- Rubber, plastics, treated lumber, etc. (exception: rubber and plastics in household waste)
Allowed
It is okay to cook on a barbecue pit with a lid that contains all sparks and flames.
Click here to see the fire marshal’s website.
