Burn ban to end after 88 days

BASTROP — After nearly three months, Bastrop County’s burn ban is set to expire at midnight Monday, following recent rainfall and improved fire conditions. 

County officials said the restrictions will lapse after all six county fire chiefs recommended allowing it to end. Office of Emergency Management Coordinator James Altgelt told commissioners recent rain lowered risk across the county, with the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which is used to measure forest fire potential, dropped significantly over the weekend. 

More to come in this week’s Elgin Courier.