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Bastrop County’s burn ban, first enacted in September and in place for more than three months, expired at midnight Dec. 22 after county commissioners opted not to extend the restrictions.
Commissioners voted to table the burn ban for further consideration following testimony that most local fire chiefs supported allowing it to expire.
James Altgelt, emergency management coordinator for the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, said recent conditions no longer justify the restrictions.
“When we look at the totality of everything — the forecasts, the fire predictive services for fire danger threat — it would all be a no brainer,” Altgelt said. “That’s why five of the six chiefs are saying allow it to expire.”
He cited minimal fire activity, improved fuel moisture levels and low fire danger forecasts.
Drought and fire data show mixed but generally improving conditions, officials said.
The Texas A&M Forest Service Predictive Services rated the county at one out of five for fire danger over the next few days. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index has averaged around 6 0 0 cou nt ywide through the first week of the new year.
Since the last Commissioners Court meeting Dec. 8, one fire burned less than two acres, and no structures were threatened, according to Altgelt.
“The 14-day average is actually lower than what it was when we started the burn ban,” he said.
Despi te limi ted chances of rain in the coming week, county officials said fire conditions are expected to remain relatively low.
