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
How we got here
As of Sept. 25, Bastrop County is at a Keetch-Byram Drought Index of 610.
The Texas A&M Forest Service website explains that this level indicates a high potential for wildfires that can show extreme intensity.
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 original burn ban. Since then, the county has not received any significant rainfall.
The KBDI ranges between 0-800, with anything over 400 indicating a higher wildfire potential.
For reference, the KBDI on Sept. 4, 2011, the day the Bastrop County Complex Fire ignited, was 789.
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 Commission on Environmental Quality website.
