By Ken Esten Cooke —
Gillespie County Commissioners joined neighboring counties on Monday to enact a burn ban during this intense, hot, dry summer.
“We all knew this was coming. With the robust growth in the spring and the drastic change in the weather, we now have incredible fuel loads,” said Steve Olfers, county fire marshal. “I don’t see anything favorable to change it in the near future.”
Fire personnel with the county met with representatives from the Texas Forest Service, who described conditions that have led to several wildfires in neighboring counties.
“With the fuel load, fires are able to advance without much wind,” Olfers said. “The types of fires they’re seeing are certainly concerning.”
The ban prohibits burning in the unincorporated areas of the county, except in containers designed to contain flames and embers, such as trash barrels and charcoal grills.
Violations can be ticketed as a Class C misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $500.
The order will expire in 90 days unless there is significant rainfall and circumstances no longer warrant it.
Commissioner Calvin Ransleben joked that since meteorologists can’t bring any rain, perhaps enacting a burn ban would do so.
Olfers said calls within the county have been manageable and fire personnel were appreciative to citizens taking the proper precautions with burning.
“But we have been very busy outside our county, doing a lot of work assisting other departments in Blanco County, up in Mason County and in Llano County.”
The situation was severe enough in Gillespie, however, to recommend the ban.
“We appreciate all the work you all do out there,” Judge Mark Stroeher told Olfers.
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