The Galveston County Commissioners Court voted at a special meeting today to issue a burn ban for the unincorporated parts of Galveston County.
This burn ban will be in effect for 90 days or until drought conditions improve.
Burn bans are issued during long periods of hot and dry weather and restrict intentionally started brush and grass fires, trash and debris fires, and other outdoor fires.
This includes campfires and other recreational fires.
“We’ve had hot and dry weather the past few weeks and enacting this burn ban will help reduce the risk of any unnecessary fires from getting out of control” said Judge Henry about the reasoning behind issuing the ban.
Drought conditions are determined by the Texas Forest Service using the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI).
A burn ban may be considered once the KBDI reaches a level of 575. Galveston County currently has a KBDI of 593.