The details
The declaration intent is to prevent a disaster amid the continuing dry weather conditions and increased risk of catastrophic wildfires across the county, according to the declaration.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough issued the burn ban on Oct. 14 in a Facebook post which took effect on Oct. 16.
The extension will last until Nov. 21 at 11:59 p.m. unless rescinded earlier from the court or renewed at a future meeting, according to the declaration.
Commercial land-clearing operations utilizing air curtain incinerators will cease burning until inspected by the Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office, and the year-round prohibition on burning household rubbish and refuse remains in effect pursuant to state law, according to the Oct. 14 declaration.
How we got here
According to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index—a tool used to gauge forest fire danger on a scale of 0-800—Montgomery County’s average was 693 as of Oct. 14, with some portions of the county reaching 744, Community Impact previously reported. Keough cited these figures in his social media post announcing the disaster declaration.
Community Impact previously reported that last year Montgomery County issued a burn ban from Aug. 1-Sept. 18.
In 2022, a burn ban was in effect in the county from July 5-Aug. 22, Community Impact previously reported.
Learn more
Read the declaration below.
