Travis County Commissioners Court
July 12, 2005
Item 30
Pete, I know people are probably wondering about number 30, consider and take appropriate action regarding a prohibition of outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of Travis County. We did have little rain a few days ago, under line little.
>> good morning. Pete baldwin, Travis County emergency management coordinator. And the operative word there is little and scattered. Although we've started to see some of the high pressure break down, a few of these afternoon showers pop up from the heating element, we still have not had that significant coverage of rain that has really affected -- affects our drought index. We still are continuing to climb. We're currently sitting in the low 600's. We've entered into what they consider a moderate drought and a moderate to high fire danger. Just for point of information, over the July fourth weekend, our county departments ran 119 calls, and nearly all of them were associated with fireworks. Luckily, nothing got very large on us and we were able to contain them and get them knocked down, but we are still continuing to see the unusual fire behavior in outlying counties. Part of that problem will be reduced by a recent criminal arrest southeast of us due to some people running around starting fires, but still we've seen them other places where the fire behavior is indicating that we are in a -- would pose a significant fire danger if we get one started. So our recommendation is to leave the ban in place. If we continue in this current frame with no rain, high temperatures, we will put an agenda item on -- we will submit one next week for the following week. So in the event that we need to extend it beyond the original date of the 27th of this month.
>> but conditions today continue to basically require that the prohibition of outdoor burning be left in place.
>> yes, sir. The only thing that is really helping us right now is because we're start to go see a little more humidity off the gulf come in. Our humidity levels have remained high. But if we happen to get back into high pressure system again where the humidity levels drop, we'll still be back in that climbing phase to keep the drought index. To our recommendation is to leave it in place.
>> okay. And for those watching, by taking no action today, we basically leave in place the order we adopted about two weeks ago, a 30-day order. So each week we will address it just in case conditions change, we will be able to take appropriate actions, which is why it's on the agenda.
>> yes, sir?
>> [inaudible - no mic]. Are they basically still in the burn ban? Where are they? Like caldwell county, bastrop county?
>> every county except blanco county. And I happened to be in a meeting with judge guthry last week, and he was saying that they would probably go, but they were the only county in central Texas that was not under an outdoor burning ban. Everything along the i-35 corridor and at least a county or two away from it are under an outdoor burning ban and remain under one.
>> okay. So they are all in concert with what we're doing here.
>> yes, sir.
>> and if it would help, I would be glad to e-mail you a map that shows the counties in the state of Texas that are currently have an outdoor burning ban. I'll send that to your office.
>> I appreciate it.
>> I can send it to everyone if you're interested.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Tuesday, July 12, 2005 3:46 PM