The Travis County Commissioners Court voted to implement an outdoor burning ban Aug. 24.

The decision was based on dry conditions and long-range forecasts calling for warmer than normal and drier than normal conditions for the next month.

Small fuels such as grasses and small twigs are drying very quickly. The lack of moisture in small fuels will allow a fire to start an once started, spread very quickly. Larger dead fuels are drying very rapidly and can contribute to the intensity of a fire.

The recommendation to the court included input from the emergency service district fire chiefs, as well as statistical data from the Texas Forestry Service. The Commissioners Court will review the conditions on a weekly basis before taking action to lift a burn ban.

This ban on Outdoor Burning does not affect a prescribed burn under the supervision of a prescription burn manager. It also does not affect outdoor hot work when done under the guidelines established by Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office. Prescription burn managers and those in need of outdoor hot work permits must contact the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office or the fire department in whose jurisdiction the work will be done.