A recommendation by La Salle County Fire Rescue Chief Daniel Mendez prompted commissioners to vote unanimously on Monday, August 11, for a ban on all outdoor burning.
The order comes at the height of a period in which the county has experienced daily triple-digit temperatures and a lack of rain.
According to Chief Mendez at Monday’s meeting of the commissioners’ court, current conditions on the ground in South Texas make the region vulnerable to fast-moving wildfires that may threaten lives and property.
“It’s gotten hotter,” the fire chief said, “and although we had a lot of rain earlier, it’s all dried up. We are averaging responses to grass fires at one per day so far in August.”
The order signed by the commissioners remains effective until early November and makes it unlawful to burn trash, yard waste or any household debris, and bans all outdoor fires such as open-pit barbecues and campfires.
The county government is also cautioning all area residents to exercise extreme caution when operating equipment outdoors such as welders or cutting torches, to prevent sparks from igniting grasses; and not to park vehicles on grass, as heated engines and exhausts may ignite dry material on the ground.
Agricultural or prescribed burns may only be conducted with county permission and official supervision.
Violations of the burn ban are punishable as misdemeanors and may include fines of up to $500 or jail time for repeat offenders.
