The ban will remain in place through Sept. 23.
Who is affected?
Residents living within unincorporated areas of the county are prohibited from any outdoor burning until the order is lifted.
What you need to know
According to the burn ban order, enforcement for outdoor fires includes:
- Response from the fire department to extinguish the fire
- An investigation into the nature of the fire, which can result in a citation for violating the burn ban
- A fine of up to $500
Areas of the county are currently at a moderate-to-high potential, according to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index.
As stated in the Aug. 26 Bastrop County Commissioners agenda packet, the KBDI average for the county jumped from 338 to 512 from Aug. 7-20, which initiated the burn ban request. Per the Water Data for Texas website, the KBDI for Aug. 27 is 550—and it is expected to climb to the lower 600 range the week of Aug. 26.
The KBDI ranges between 0-800, with anything over 400 indicating a higher wildfire potential.
What else?
Those with questions can reach out to James Altgelt, Bastrop County Emergency Management coordinator, at 512-581-4022.
A list of what residents can and cannot do while a burn ban is in place can also be found on the Texas Commissioner on Environmental Quality website.
Notable quote
"Bastrop County residents may see rain in the next few days, but please do not burn outdoors," BCOEM officials said on social media.
