Heat prompts ban on outdoor burning in Burnet and Llano counties
Lew K. Cohn/The Highlander
Due to lack of rain and rising temperatures, conditions are quickly approaching those last seen in August 2018 (Pictured here, just off Texas 71 southwest of Horseshoe Bay). That year a string of wildfires plagued the Llano, Burnet and Blanco county area. Local entities recently enacted bans on outdoor burning to try to snuff some of the increasing fire danger.
By Lew K. Cohn
Managing Editor
Scorching hot temperatures soaring to above 100 degrees and lack of precipitation have sparked local governments to issue bans against outdoor burning.
Llano County acted first, passing a countywide ban on outdoor burning on Monday, July 22. No open fires are permitted and the county warns residents they could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor and subject to up to a $500 fine for violations of the order.
This includes the unincorporated areas in and around Kingsland, Horseshoe Bay, Sandy Harbor, Sunrise Beach, Buchanan Dam and Tow.
The city of Marble Falls issued its burn ban on Tuesday, July 30, while Burnet County followed suit on Wednesday, July 31. All burn permits issued in the city of Burnet have been suspended while the outdoor ban on burning is in effect. Granite Shoals and Highland Haven are also honoring the Burnet County burn ban.
Weather forecasts show fire danger will continue as temperatures remain high without rain expected during the next 10 days. The greatest chance of rain comes this weekend with only a 20 percent probability. Temps are expected to hover around the century mark throughout that time.
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