TYLER COUNTY – After a brief reprieve, the countywide burn ban is back on, as of Monday, March 23, after an order signed by Tyler County Judge Milton Powers.
The last burn ban, which was issued by Judge Powers in late February and ratified by the Tyler County Commissioners Court during a special session on March 2, was lifted March 12, with the condition that all citizens exercise caution when burning outdoors.
The order passed on Monday cites imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from countywide drought conditions.
The ban is good for seven days from the date of its declaration, which is Monday, March 30, unless the Commissioners Court renews it.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, 150 out of the 254 counties in the state are under burn bans, as of Tuesday. In the region, only neighboring Jasper County is also under a burn ban.
The order prohibits the burning of all trash, brush, trees, storm debris, construction material debris or open campfires until it is lifted, and is enforceable by fines of up to $500.
The region experienced some rainfall over the past two weeks, but it was not sufficient to lessen the drought conditions, however, there is an above 50% chance of rain forecasted for next Monday through Thursday in the county.
