Dry conditions and expected high winds caused Gillespie County Judge Daniel Jones to issue a declaration of disaster and prohibit outdoor burning on Tuesday. The order went into effect starting Monday night.
Jones said the elevated fire weather conditions “pose an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property, and such conditions would be exacerbated by outdoor burning.
Jones said the Texas Division of Emergency Management issued a notice that high winds, low humidity could move rapidly across dry vegetation. Fires could intensify and be difficult to control.
Tuesday winds are expected at greater than 30 miles per hour and humidity levels are expected to be below 20 percent, increasing the potential for fire starts. Jones said fire rates of spread in grass fuels could reach 3-5 miles per hour with flame length of 10 to 12 feet. “That equates to flames the height of a one-story building the length of a football field in a minute,” he said.
Jones ordered all outdoor burning, including trash, brush, trees, storm debris, construction material and even open campfires are prohibited until the order expires or is rescinded.
The judge also stated all outdoor hot work — such as welding or cutting with a torch — should be avoided if at all possible and conducted only when adequate water or other fire suppressant is on site and immediate deployable.
