Travis County Commissioners Court
November 28, 2006
Item 4
Number 4 is to consider and take appropriate action regarding the prohibition of outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of Travis County and related matters.
>> good morning, Commissioners, good morning. Brad
>> [indiscernible], Travis County fire marshal's office. The kdbi is 449 as of today with a maximum of 619. This is an increase from the 430 average and 608 average two days ago. The rain that we received yesterday was just a trace. Our concern is the predicted freeze that is coming this Thursday. The front is predicted to have wind speeds up to 35 35 miles an hour, low humanity and the freeze will lower the fuel moistures and the fine fuels. There are conflicting weather models about the amount of rain that will be accompanying the front. The Texas forest service has been consulted. And advised that they are -- they are believed conditions do exist to support the ban. The fire chiefs have been polled and overwhelmingly asked for the ban. There is still great concern about the thousand acre hays county fire just two weeks ago. Therefore staff would recommend a ban be put in place with the review next Tuesday.
>> let me just clarify one point there. The index for a part of the county -- is below 500.
>> that's correct.
>> I think that you just said.
>> that is correct, judge.
>> but for another part of the county it exceeds the -- the 600?
>> yes, sir. About 50% of the county is in the five to 600 range. There are portions of the county that are over 600. We have a situation and I have maps if the court would care to see them. We have a -- we have an interesting situation where -- where we have the two extremes would bring our mean down because we have -- we have -- we have portions of the county that are -- that are in pretty good shape. But we have a -- we have a 50% of the county that's in bad shape. And then you have this precipitating event that has all of the fire professionals pretty concerned off of the hays county fire that we have predicted 35 miles an hour winds two days hence, and we may get rain and we may not get rain. Depends on which -- which weather model that you look at. We may be in a situation that could be -- that could be -- could be potentially very challenging and then again it may rain this coming weekend. So -- so but -- you know we are in a situation where we are trying to second-guess god respectfully so that's a different thing.
>> we would never do that
>> [laughter]
>> yes, sir.
>> but based on the circumstances and the forecast.
>> yes.
>> the prudent thing to do today is to impose the -- the ban against outdoor open burning.
>> it is judge and respectfully, you know, your orders do -- do have in there for some sensible enforcement. If it does rain this weekend, you know, we could communicate with the sheriff's office, our office to take, you know, an appropriate action if you know what I'm saying.
>> for those reasons I move approval.
>> second.
>> discussion of the motion? By the way, they -- this is not -- this is not all outdoor burning, open burning. In the order we set forth basically what's allowed, what's not allowed. If folk need additional directions there are people that can call to get that information.
>> yes, sir, if they call the Travis County fire marshal's office, 854, 4621 we will be happy.
>> call the fire marshal or any member of the court to get a copy of the order that we will sign in just a few moments assuming this passes. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Thank you very much. We will have it back on next week just in case we need it.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, November 29, 2006 07:48 AM