After several reports of noncontrolled fires, the Comal County Commissioners Court approved reimplementing an outdoor burning ban at its regular meeting Thursday. The ban will go into effect Friday at 6 a.m.

“The rain earlier this month gave us a nice reprieve, but the return of 100-degree days and clear skies means the risk for fires has again made outdoor burning too dangerous," Comal County Fire Marshal Kory Klabunde told the Commissioners Court.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) this week reached 500, which is the threshold at which the Commissioners Court typically considers implementing a burn ban. Every 100 points of the KBDI is roughly equivalent to an inch of dry soil depth. As of Thursday, it stood at 536.

Under the restrictions, no open flames are allowed outdoors, including trash burning, campfires and torches, among others. Residents may cook outdoors with an open flame if the barbecue grill has a lid and is set off the ground. Welders are encouraged to use a spotter for any outdoor welding and to keep a water source nearby.

An order banning outdoor burning went into effect June 8 but was lifted by the Commissioners Court on July 10 after the area experienced heavy rainfall. Now that it is back in effect, the ban will remain in effect for 90 days unless lifted early by the court. More information is available on the Fire Marshal Office’s webpage, and Facebook page.