Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved an order banning outdoor burning in unincorporated Bexar County. Fire Marshal Craig Roberts told the court the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, KBDI, is above 400 and there has been an increase in the number of grass fires.
The KBDI is used to determine wildfire potential based on precipitation and soil moisture. The index ranges from 0 to 800, with the highest end representing absolutely dry conditions.
The ban prohibits residents in unincorporated Bexar County from outdoor burning except when authorized by the Fire Marshal or in the event the ban is lifted. The order allows for the burning of household trash or domestic waste materials as long as a burn barrel with a wire mesh screen is used to prevent the spread of sparks and flames.
Other exceptions include firefighting training; public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; harvesting of agricultural crops and burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager.
The ban takes effect immediately and will expire on June 9 unless conditions improve and the ban is lifted by the Fire Marshal.