Gonzales County ends ban on outdoor burning

A two-month-old ban on outdoor burning in Gonzales County was lifted Monday, Dec. 16, by County Judge Pat Davis.

“Due to recent rains, the hazardous conditions have been alleviated,” Davis said. “Citizens are cautioned to exercise extreme caution when burning is necessary.”

Commissioners discussed the burn ban at their Dec. 16 meeting and were told by Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Marshal Jimmy Harless that the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Gonzales County had dropped from 688 on Nov. 25 to 623 as of Dec. 16.

“There are some areas that are under six (hundred), there are a few that are over the 623 and we have received a little bit of slow drizzle and moisture over the last couple of weeks,” Harless said. “I have issued several burn ban permits for folks that are wanting to burn household trash and such. I would recommend that maybe we ease up on the burn ban over the holidays and let folks get stuff done while our moisture content is high, and then revisit that after the first of the year.”

Harless said the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office has been helping respond quickly to burn ban violations and he has tried to be understanding with residents who have been antsy about not being able to burn trash for two months.

“I can see where folks would, with the moisture and stuff, assume that it's been lifted, so I've been very understanding about that, about issuing permits,” Harless said. “They don't cost anything.”

Harless said even though the burn ban has been lifted, there are rules regarding burning that the state requires all residents to follow:

• You can only burn when the wind speeds are between 6 mph and 23 mph.

• You can only burn between 1 hour after sunrise and 1 hour before sunset.

• The burn must be attended and water must be ready accessible.

• You may not burn any prohibited materials such as rubber, plastic, metal or treated wood and it must come from your property only.

If conditions worsen, the commissioners court could consider putting a burn ban back on as soon as their next regular meeting, which will be on Monday, Jan. 13.