Wildfire Concerns Push Bexar County to Extend Burn Ban Until May
The Bexar County Commissioners Court has officially extended a ban on outdoor burning through May 11. Here’s what you need to know.
Bexar County has announced that its countywide burn ban has been extended through Monday, May 11 due to a persistent wildfire risk amid the lingering drought. Originally, the outdoor burning ban was due to expire on Monday, February 9. The updated ban will now take effect beginning on Tuesday, February 10. A press release from the Bexar County Commissioners Court announcing the 90-day extension stated, “Even though we recently experienced icy and wet conditions, the County continues to experience extremely dry conditions with heavy fuel sources on the ground that may facilitate wildfires. The drought index for the county continues to climb well over 500 in certain parts of the County.”
According to Texas Public Radio, recent frigid conditions have negatively impacted the area’s vegetation, making it brittle and dry, which adds to the risk. Residents are being encouraged to avoid potential wildfire triggers, such as parking their car on top of dry grass, throwing lit cigarettes out the window while they’re driving, or doing any sort of welding work outside. Any violation of the current burn ban could be punishable by up to $500 in fines, as it’s listed as a Class C misdemeanor. Those located in unincorporated Bexar County are permitted to burn trash, but only inside of burn barrels equipped with a screen lid made of metal wire mesh to prevent sparking.
The fire marshal is also advising locals to do what they can to prevent wildfires, such as trimming tree branches so they’re at least several feet off the ground, and by removing brush and wood piles around their properties.
The county courthouse has a superstition about triggering rain by passing burn bans
Justin Rodriguez, Precinct 2’s County Commissioner, reached out to Chris Lopez, the County Fire Marshal, to share a superstition they have at the county courthouse about burn bans. Apparently, the idea goes that if you officially pass a ban on outdoor burning, it will then trigger rain and decrease the drought risk. As Rodriguez recalled to Texas Public Radio, he told Lopez, “After we do this, usually 24 or 36 hours later, it rains. What should we expect?” Lopez responded that he hoped rain would start to fall in at least the next 48 hours, so it looks like the clock on their superstition is officially ticking.
So, what do you think? Will extending the burn ban trigger rain? We suppose that only time will tell.
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