Outdoor burning banned in Bastrop County

With temperatures hovering around 100 degrees each day and soil and fuels moisture falling, it is appropriate to issue an emergency burn ban for Bastrop County. As of today, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index in the county is between 508 to the southwest and 665 to the northeast. The county-wide average is 596, which is an increase of 7 points since yesterday. With forecasts of continued hot, dry weather, the time has come to stop all outdoor burning in the county until such time as the climatic conditions improve to the extent that the risk of wildfire is diminished. 

The order went into effect at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6. This emergency order is effective for seven days. It may be extended by the Bastrop County Commissioners Court, which will be meeting in regular session on Monday, August 12.