A ban on outdoor burning was issued at the Monday, Aug. 23 meeting of the Franklin County Commissioners Court.
The ban went into effect immediately and is expected to continue for the next 90 days or until the prohibition on outdoor burning is lifted by the court members. The local court has a policy of issuing burning bans when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index exceeds 600 for the county. The current index figures indicate a rating of 600 or more, with the southeastern portion of the county in excess of 700.
This order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that
are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for: (1) firefighter
training; (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; (3) planting or
harvesting of agricultural crops; or, (4) burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn
manager certified under Section 153.048, Natural Resources Code, and meet the
standards of Section 153.047, Natural Resources Code.
A violation of this Order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00. Individuals may also be responsible for damages to the property of others resulting from fires started by them or persons acting under their instruction.
