Lavaca County
DeWitt County
burn ban

Burning bans still on in Lavaca, DeWitt counties

  • File Graphic
    File Graphic

    Lavaca County commissioners keep burn ban intact 

    By Jimmy Appelt, Staff Writer

    The Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court met in a special-called emergency meeting prior to its regular meeting Tuesday morning, Oct. 10 and voted to continue with a burn ban for the county.

    Hearing from Shiner VFD fire chief and chairman of the Lavaca County Fire Association, Billy Petru, he recommended keeping the burn ban intact for at least one more week. Petru said although the majority of the county has fallen below the KBDI average of 500 for the association’s call for a burn ban, the Pilot Grove area near Sweet Home did not get the rains other areas in the county did receive.

    "In my opinion, if we did not have fire association’s requirement for calling for a burn ban, I would say we probably have a discussion,” Petru said. “But, it’s hard for me as a firefighter and as the leader of the fire association to say those folks from Pilot Grove in the Sweet Home area have the burn ban removed. I can’t do that.

     Petru said the rains received thus far still falls well below the needed amount for assisting in grass growth. He said we really need about seven and a half inches for the water to soak into the ground.

    It was decided by the court to maintain the burn ban and possibly look at it again sometime next week.

     

     

    DeWitt County will let its ban fizzle out on Oct. 22

    By Clayton Kelley, Staff Writer

    The burn ban that has been in effect for months now will be lifted on Oct. 22, according to officials at the Oct. 9. DeWitt County commissioner’s court meeting.

    “In the last 30 days, we’ve seen about five inches of rain,” DeWitt County Judge Daryl Fowler said. “The best and greenest part of our county is at 296 on the drought index. The driest part is 637. Overall, the average for the county lies at 503. I would advocate that this burn ban expires on its own terms and, if there is a need for it, we may consider (another burn ban).”

    DeWitt County commissioners also approved a practitioner agreement between the Texas Municipal League Multi-State Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool and Cuero-DeWitt County Health Department for the City of Yoakum.

    This agreement will accommodate flu shots administered to Yoakum city employees.

    Other items on the agenda included:

    • Commissioners nominated James B. Pilchiek to the board of directors of the DeWitt County Appraisal District for a two-year term.

    • Precinct 1 Commissioner Curtis Afflerbach turned in his letter of retirement effective Dec. 30. DeWitt County officials will hold a special election for this position. They start accepting applications on Nov. 11.

    • A permit application from ConocoPhillips was approved for the installation of a temporary water line along Schendel Road in Precinct 3.