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County Burn Ban suspended |
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Thursday, 08 May 2008 |
By Brooke Huff
Reporter
In an emergency meeting this morning, the Hutchinson County Commissioner’s Court unanimously voted to suspend the countywide burn ban.
Hutchinson County Fire Marshal Danny Richards told the court that with the amount of rain received throughout the county, it will make conditions more favorable, reducing the fire hazards. Richards recommended the suspension of the burn ban because area residents who burn their trash have been unable to burn the trash since the ban was instated, creating a second hazard.
The pile up of trash, Richards said, is causing a fire hazard, as well as presenting health risks to area residents. With the suspension of the burn ban, trash can be burned, Richards said, as long as people use caution.
A burn ban, Richards said, is instated based on the number of fire calls area fire departments receive. The reinstatement of a burn ban is also based on current conditions, which Richards said area favorable right now. The rain will start making grass greener, which will, in turn, reduce the risk of fires. Richards is hoping that the county can get enough rain over the next few weeks to take us through the summer without having to reinstate the ban.
Even though the ban has been suspended, Richards said that everyone still needs to use caution when burning trash.
“Everyone needs to go easy on burning trash,” Richards said. “Please be very sensible and cautious.”
County Judge Faye Blanks asked Richards if he thought they would need to reinstate the ban soon, and he recommended holding off for as long as possible.
“As long as conditions are favorable, and we continue to receive rain,” he said. “There is no reason we should have to reinstate the ban anytime soon.”
Richards said that he is very appreciative of everyone’s cooperation during the ban in not deliberately starting fires.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 09 May 2008 )
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