It is getting dry again in Trinity County. As a result, fire danger has increased, and the local fire department’s deployments to active fires have increased significantly.
The Trinity Police Department gets telephone calls almost daily, asking if there is a burn ban in place. At the time of this article, neither the city of Trinity nor the county has a burn ban in place. With that news, most people aren’t hesitant to burn.
I equate this to a driver on the interstate. The speed limit is 75 mph in most places. So, the average driver travels at the posted speed limit or much higher. Often not taking into consideration the road conditions. The 75-mph is for optimal road conditions. How many of you have been passed by motorists in the rain, ice, snow, or other inclement weather. As you continue to travel, you see that vehicle in the ditch or worse, a wreck. I don’t know how many crashes I have investigated where the drivers I have talked to in those crashes, told me, “Well, I was driving the speed limit.”
Just because we don’t have an active burn ban in place, we still have to be cautious. The wind, the low humidity, the crispy grass in the ditches and pastures make it ripe for fire danger. I encourage you to not burn when winds exceed 10 mph or when forecasts predict little to no rain, low humidity, or extreme dryness.
When you burn, you must monitor the burn, never leave your fire unattended. Keep a fire extinguisher, a shovel, or hose nearby, and maintain a clear fire break around your burn area.
In Trinity, late winter (February-March) is often considered the “sweet spot” for brush burning. Vegetation is dormant, reducing root fires. The ground is still damp, frozen, which acts as a natural firebreak. Fewer live plants are in growth, so burning dead brush is less likely to harm living roots.
Remember, safety is paramount. Just because we can burn, doesn’t mean we should. Before burning, check with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality and with our local fire restrictions before starting.
Call us if you need us.
Steven Jeter is Chief of Police in Trinity.
