Hop on the Grimes County Burn Ban roller coaster: the Burn Ban has been lifted for the area.
“I did poll the fire chiefs, they did all agree, some with caution…but, they all agreed, that is it time to remove the burn ban, and let citizen’s burn their piles. Which will, thereby, reduce the fire risk in the county, as well,” said Emergency Management Coordinator David Lilly at Wednesday’s regular meeting of Commissioner’s Court.
Commissioner Phillip Cox raised issue with one statue in the county, which gives the County Judges office authority to allow controlled burns during a burn ban.
“I have reviewed the statue, and had several people contact me, concerned with this practice. I find nowhere in the statue, in local government code or Attorney General opinions, that authorizes your office to issue permits to burn during a burn ban, or at any other time,” said Cox. “I do not think we need to be participating in that practice.”
Cox reminded everyone that campfires are also prohibited during a burn ban. Municipalities do not, however, fall under the Burn Ban umbrella.
Commissioners approved lifting the Burn Ban, but Lilly says it might be reinstated within the next week.
