Today’s Drizzle Didn’t Extinguish Comal County’s Burn Ban

Comal County Fire Marshal Kory Klabunde says stop calling!

Very light rain today won’t affect the county’s drought situation, he said on Facebook. The burn ban remains in effect.

Today’s Keetch-Byram Index (KBDI) is 624. Commissioners Court implemented the current burn ban on Oct. 8 after the KBDI reached 501.

“We are getting some drizzle and possible rain in some areas, but it is not enough to affect our drought situation,” he said. “Please understand this wetness will go away as soon as the sun comes out. We cannot take the burn ban off just because it is currently wet outside. If we did, as soon as the drizzle stops, we would have a very dangerous situation.

“Currently we will need between two to four inches of rain to help us,” Klabunde said. “Please be patient.”

Under conditions of the burn ban, barbecue pits that are off the ground and have a lid to contain all sparks and flames are allowed for cooking purposes only.

“Please be very careful with any barbecue pits or hot work outside (welding, cutting metal, grinding),” he said in early October. “No brush fires, campfires, burn barrels, fire pits (rings) or other open flames are allowed during this time.”

Octobers bring lower humidity and higher winds from cold fronts, dangerous conditions during a drought.

The KBDI measures drought conditions and is commonly used for the purpose of predicting the likelihood and severity of wildfire.