Commissioners Court reinstated the burn ban today as continued dry conditions bumped the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) to 557 points.
The ban goes into effect at 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
“Things are still kind of green, but as we get into fall and winter we’ve got to look at more than the KBDI,” county Fire Marshal Kory Klabunde said. “The grass starts drying out, the fuel load, low humidity, you know higher wind speed.”
The county reinstates the burn ban when the KBDI reaches 500 or higher. KBDI measures how dry the ground and vegetation are, helping Texas A&M Forest Service determine the potential for wildfires.
“We know many residents have been taking advantage of the recent break in restrictions, but conditions have changed and we want everyone to stay safe,” county Public Information Officer Cary Zayas said.