A burn ban will remain in effect for Bastrop County through Oct. 27.

The details

The emergency order prohibiting outdoor burning has now been in effect since Sept. 22.

“The purpose of this order is the mitigation of the public safety hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry weather conditions by curtailing the practice of outdoor burning,” the emergency order, signed by Bastrop County Judge Gregory Klaus, states.

Bastrop County outlined the following enforcement measures if there is an outdoor fire:

• Fire departments responding to a scene to contain and extinguish the fire
• A peace officer being sent to the scene to investigate the nature of the fire
• A fine up to $500 if an individual knowingly violates the emergency order

A full list of activities allowed and prohibited during a burn ban can be accessed on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality website.

Some background

Bastrop County also issued a disaster declaration Sept. 18, and cited several factors, including:

• A lack of rainfall for an extended period of time
• The dry conditions posing a risk of large, dangerous and fast-moving wildfires
• Meteorologists not forecasting a change in the dry conditions in the near future

All of Bastrop County was experiencing severe drought conditions as of Oct. 7, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

“The latest drought map for conditions as of Oct. 7 shows an increase in drought for the fourth consecutive week,” Mark Wentzel, a hydrologist with the Office of Water Science and Conservation, said in his latest Water Weekly report. “With almost 50% of the state currently classified as abnormally dry, expect more drought in coming weeks.”

What else?

Residents can contact James Altgelt, the Bastrop County emergency management coordinator, with questions at 512-581-4022.