On Aug. 20, Collin County commissioners approved Collin County Judge Keith Self’s decision to lift the McKinney outdoor burn ban. The burn ban first went into effect July 10, and during the burn ban period McKinney Fire Department responded to 32 grass fires, according to MFD. MFD released a news statement Aug. 16 announcing that McKinney residents would no longer need permits for hot work, such as cutting or welding outdoors. “We will continue to monitor conditions,” McKinney Fire Marshal Mike Smith said in the release. “Despite the recent rains, north Texas is not out of the woods yet. We need to stay aware of how fast fire can spread.”