Burn Ban Back in Place

A burn ban is back in effect in Travis County. Fire Marshal Hershel Lee recommended the ban be put back in place during a county commissioners’ meeting this morning.

Central Texas had been without a burn ban since mid-July.

But Lee says the last few weeks have been pretty dry and the forecast looks like it will bring more heat and little rain.

"One of the small indicators that we use is when we start seeing roadside fires," Lee says. "We know that the small fuels are being ignited easily by things like cigarettes or sparks from metal or hot metal from brakes, those types of things. And those small roadside fires have been on the increase."

The burn ban is set to stay in effect at least until the commissioners' meeting on September 4 – ensuring that outdoor burning will be prohibited over Labor Day weekend.