Montgomery County extends outdoor burn ban

Montgomery County extended its outdoor burn ban today as dry conditions continue in the region.

At Commissioner's Court on July 15, Montgomery County Judge Alan Sadler and county commissioners approved a request by county Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams to extend the county's burn ban.

"What we're really talking about are limbs and leaves on residential property," Williams said during Commissioner's Court.

The region's average drought reading is 610 on the Keetch-Byram Dought Index, where readings range from 0–800, with 800 representing completely dry areas. Readings over 600 signal increased fire danger, the Fire Marshal's office said.

"Montgomery County currently has hot and dry conditions which pose the threat of large, dangerous and fast moving wildfires that have the potential of endangering lives and damaging property on a large scale," the county said in a disaster declaration issued earlier this month.