What you need to know
Due to extremely dry conditions and critical fire weather conditions, a burn ban has been instituted for 90 days, or until either the Commissioners Court or the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s office determines the hazard no longer exists.
Under the ban, private residences in unincorporated areas of the county are restricted to burning household waste only if no trash collection services are available for that property, and wind speeds are less than 15 mph.
The marshal’s office recommends the use of burn barrels with metal wire mesh screens to prevent the spread of sparks and flames.
The order prohibits all other outdoor burning unless authorized by the fire marshal, or burning for firefighting training; public utility, natural gas pipeline and mining operations; as well as harvesting of agricultural crops.
A violation of the burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.
Current situation
The decision was made after the Keetch-Byram Drought Index—an indicator of seasonal drought on fire potential and measured on a scale of 0 to 800—determined that wildfires can become extremely intense. The Oct. 29 KBDI in unincorporated Bexar County is 683.
Over the last two months, brush-related fires have been on the rise, which are defined as any out-of-control fire involving natural vegetation such as grass, weeds, trees and brush that doesn’t impact on a property or structure.
Recent brush fires in Bexar County:
- September: 51 brush-related fires
- Oct. 1-28: 78 brush-related fires
