Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 (Agenda)
Item 3
Number 3, consider and take appropriate action an order regarding outdoor burning in the unincorporated area of Travis County.
our fire marshal advises instead of getting better the situation is getting worse.
the drought index is up to 759.
when it gets to 800, there is zero moisture.
if we take no action we leave in place the burn ban already in place which would expire August 24th.
any other comments, action?
there's the fire marshal right there to confirm exactly what I just said.
right, fire marshal?
>> [laughter]
>> correct, judge.
in the last two days there have been two very significant fires.
one just outside of Travis County to the north in Williamson county in which 15 homes were lost.
the cause of that fire has not been determined yet.
yesterday afternoon at about the same time a large fire started in bastrop state park.
I haven't gotten the final report on that, but this was in an area where there should not have been a fire.
yesterday a fire started over in precinct 3 from a welding operation.
we are doing our best to evaluate each one of these fires to be sure that our burn ban order covers everything it needs to cover and in this case the gentleman did not have everything he was supposed to have in order to control that fire or prevent it from happening.
we're keeping an eye out, but things are dry and just getting worse.
>> be super careful.
>> could I just add since precinct 3 has had a fair number of fires, we need life to go on, but if there is anything that -- welding or anything like that that's going to happen outside, I just think we should encourage anyone in the county to contact their fire department and see what precaution anterior measures they should take in order to proceed with what their intent is.
>> you are correct, Commissioner.
your burn ban order, a number of years ago we have done some research on outdoor hot work operation because we do want people to continue to work and there are some things, construction, roadways, things like that that need to happen t court came up with a list of items and they are published on our burn ban order that say if you are going to do hot work, you must have these things in place.
so that's already out there and published for them.
if people will take note and follow those orders.
>> if they have any doubts at all, what telephone number should they use?
>> call my office at (512)854-4621 and we'll be able to provide copies of that or additional information if there is an unusual circumstance that you have questions about.
>> thank you.
>> thank you.
>> judge, a couple comments, please, sir.
one of the things, judge -- gus peen y one of the things that was brought up to my attention a lot of this information get out to spanish speakers, the ones who dot no speak english.
if we could make increased effort in notifying the public.
some of them are still barbecuing in open pits.
if we could have increased awareness in spanish, I've had complaints people saying I was nearly ticketed.
it can be scary to be approached by law enforcement or park ranger and I tell them work with them.
more increased arrangement in spanish, por favor.
>> very good point and I believe our burn ban order is posted in spanish on our website but I'll double-check and if it's not we will get it posted in spanish as well.
>> maybe see if we can get public service announcements in spanish.
by taking no action we leave the burn ban in place and it will be back on next week as it expire the next day.
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