08/13/2023
The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds citizens that all outdoor burning activity in the county is prohibited.
The Smith County Commissioners Court issued a burn ban on August 1. The burn ban order is in effect for 90 days, unless conditions improve and the Commissioners Court approves terminating the order early. As weather conditions in the area continue to pose a threat for wildfires, it will require significant rainfall before the order is lifted.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) moved into the 700 range today, August 9, for Smith County. The average KBDI is 704 today, with some areas of the county as high as 758. The KBDI is a metric used to measure the effects of seasonal drought on fire potential. The actual numeric value ranges from 0 (no moisture depletion) to 800 (absolutely dry conditions). With no significant change in weather patterns expected in the next few days, the KBDI will likely continue to increase.
Wind conditions, along with extremely dry grass vegetation can easily result in fires that are difficult to control. Citizens are encouraged to exercise caution when parking near grass. Heat from vehicle exhaust can quickly ignite dry grass.
Roadside fires are not uncommon, and our area has experienced incidents where these fires have quickly spread to nearby land, structures and vehicles. When pulling trailers, it is extremely important to ensure that tow chains or other metal objects do not contact the roadway. Sparks resulting from this condition can result in roadside fires that can rapidly grow.
Area fire departments continue to respond to these types of incidents daily. Call volume has fluctuated, but we have seen a significant number of grass fires and calls for illegal burning since the burn ban was implemented.
By 1 p.m. today, the County had already experienced six grass fires, one structure fire, and one report of illegal burning for the day. At 12:30 p.m., multiple fire departments were battling a fast-moving grass fire impacting at least one structure and threatening other buildings and vehicles.
While some incidents have been accidental, we continue to respond to calls involving violations to the burn ban. Regardless of cause, any fire occurring during the current weather conditions can quickly escalate.
A violation of the burn ban is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500.
Outdoor grilling is still allowed, but citizens should ensure that the grill or smoker contains all flames and includes a lid.
Outdoor welding operations are also excluded, if they are conducted following guidelines established by the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office. Welders must notify and register with the Fire Marshal’s Office in advance.
For more information related to the burn ban, please contact the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-590-2655.
