Court enacts second burn ban

As of Monday morning, Lavaca County is now under a burn ban.

The burn ban was enacted at the Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court meeting due to the recommendation of the Lavaca County Fire Chief’s’ Association.

Lavaca County EMS assistant chief Tim Decker represented the association and spoke to the court about imposing the ban.

Decker told the court that the KeetchByram Drought Index average on Monday is 578 and although its above the average for calling for the ban the weather conditions are Acausing drying out to occur rapidly.

“When the last burn ban was removed, we had a lot of growth and a lot of green grass on the ground,” Decker said. “We kind of thought we were okay, but the conditions have changed. It has been hotter than usual and the rain has kind of shut off.”

Decker said the growth doesn’t have the moisture content that it had before and the soil has now dried out.

“An average of 578 means the soil moisture is 5.7 inches down and we have no moisture,” Decker said.

Decker said Chief Petru, Fire Chief’s Association chairman polled all the fire chiefs in the county and they voted unanimously to call for the burn ban.

“It was a unanimous decision to go forward with a burn ban just for the safety of the firefighters going out for the calls as well as the protection of others,” Decker said.

Decker said although the fires can still happen, the feeling of the fire chiefs is to mitigate keeping the responders safe.

“It doesn’t mean a person cannot have a camp fire for cooking. That is okay,” Decker said. “Also, trash can be burned in a barrel with a screen cover over the top, but burning large trash piles are not allowed during a burn ban.”

Decker said the Fire Chief’s Association know its a tough decision to call for a ban, but its for the volunteer firemen.

“There are people out there who get upset at these situations, but its truly for the safety of our responders,” Decker said. “How fast some of these conditions can get out of control really puts a lot of people and houses at risk. Instead of risking it, its safer to just wait until we get a little more moisture to burn.”

Decker reported the eastern side of Lavaca County is the driest with the north and a little west being a little greener. He said the bottom KBDI number is currently 484 and the top number is well above 600.

“I know the Fire Chief’s Association appreciates ya’ll (court) support and I know your decision is hard to make.”