Burnet County Grass Fire Proves Danger Of Ignoring Burn Ban
Burnet County Grass Fire Proves Danger Of Ignoring Burn Ban
30 January 2006
published by www.kxan.com
USA — A large grassfire out in Burnet County is an important reminder that recent rains do not mean it’s safe to do any outdoor burning.
The fire, near County Road 103 & Highway 281, could be seen all the way across Lake Buchanan from our Hill Country Tower Cam in Llano.
Volunteer firefighters battled the blaze that started around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday. By nightfall on Sunday, the wind had fanned this fire to 150 acres and burned down a hunter’s cabin. The fire started by someone out here welding, working with fire even with the burn ban still in effect.
“We receive approximately an inch of rain and undoubtedly some people feel like that was enough to continue their outdoor work,” said Capt. Russell Graeter with the Burnet Volunteer Fire Department. “There is a ban on welding, BBQ pits and any outdoor control burns.”
The fire is now contained, but fire departments across the area are now reminding everyone that there is still a burn ban in effect. And officials say that this burn ban could last until April. Just because we had a little bit of rain a few days ago doesn’t necessarily mean the burn ban has been lifted. We need rain for an extended period of time — enough rain to turn the grass back to green again — for the ban to lift.
Until that happens, please follow the burn ban.
