Burn ban still in effect
The Wills Point Fire Department flies a flag indicating whether or not a burn ban is currently in effect in Van Zandt County. The flag currently flying outside the WPFD was raised on Aug. 11 after county commissioners voted to put a 90-day burn ban in effect. The ban could be lifted as soon as the next commissioners court meeting, scheduled for Sept. 8.
Thanks to the fickleness of Texas weather, even during the summer months, many local and county residents have questioned whether Van Zandt County is still under the burn ban enacted by commissioners back at their Aug. 11 meeting.
At that time, Van Zandt County Fire Marshal Chuck Allen approached commissioners requesting a burn ban due to temperatures over 100 degrees, a lengthy stretch of no rainfall and a high rating in the Keetch, Bryam Drought Index.
The index cited is used by the Texas A&M Forestry Service to predict fire danger for the area, rated the county in the dangerous range. Allen told commissioners that the county is at a level of 700 with the max level being 800. “Right now, we are at the 700 level, but that could potentially rise within the next two weeks to a 750. Unless we get some significant rain soon, we will remain under the burn ban,” said Allen.
Several other East Texas counties have ended their respective burn bans in recent weeks, notably Smith, Gregg and Upshur Counties on Aug. 22 and Wood County on Aug. 28.
County commissioners are scheduled to meet again on Sept. 8, where they could potentially vote to lift the current ban. Information about whether the ban is still in effect will be published on our Facebook page, and in our weekly papers, as soon as it becomes available.
Addressing those that have questioned the current status of Van Zandt County, Wills Point Fire Chief Ed Leipply noted that his department flies a flag outside of the fire station when countywide burn bans are in effect.
The flag, which is a deep shade of red, includes the wording “Burning Ban,” as well as a picture of tall flames and house.
