Commissioner's court orders burn ban for county
Submitted by jcht2010 on
A burn ban was enacted for Jackson County by the commissioners court at the Aug. 10 meeting. County Judge Dennis Simons told the court the Keetch-Byram Drought Index on Sunday showed areas of the county at 603. The KBDI is an index used to determining forest fire potential.
According to Pct. 3 Commissioner Johnny Belicek, Matagorda and Wharton counties have burn bans in place, along with 69 other counties in Texas.
Assistant Fire Chief Kurt Janica with the Edna Fire Department told the court the fire department has responded to three grass fires since Aug. 1, with the most recent one on Sunday at CR 283/284.
Simons noted farmers can still burn if they utilize a prescribed burn, however the Prescribed Burning Board regulates certified and insured prescribed burn managers who work to control vegetative fuels that can contribute to wildfires. He was unaware of any prescribed burn managers available locally.
The burn ban is in effect for 90 days, but can be removed by Simons if the county receives enough rainfall to reduce the KBDI.
In other business, commissioners approved establishing a fund for future construction of a new correctional facility. Belicek, who made the motion, said $750,000 should be set aside to start the fund and added that since other entities in the county use the jail, they should feel free to donate to the fund.
Sheriff Andy Louderback said he believes a new jail will be necessary sooner rather than later and commended the court for planning for future.
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