Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
publicrelations@collincountytx.gov

August 16, 2004

Collin County issues an outdoor burning ban

(McKinney, TX) -- Collin County has issued a ban on all outdoor burning in unincorporated areas. Judge Ron Harris signed an order that will take effect tomorrow (August 17th) and remain in effect for the next 90 days or until conditions improve and the burn ban can be lifted.

The burn ban does not prohibit outdoor burning for firefighter training, mining or utility operations, crop rotation or prescribed burn under the control of a person certified and licensed by the state to perform such a burn.

The fire marshal used the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) to help determine if a burn ban was necessary. In the range between 400-600, fire intensity begins to significantly increase. Today’s average KBDI in Collin County is 479, and the forecast indicates the KBDI for Collin County to be more than 600 within the next 20 days, unless there is a significant amount of rainfall.

According to Fire Marshal Steve Deffibaugh, there are ways residents can help reduce the risk of fires. “Make sure areas around structures are kept mowed. The shorter the grass, the less fuel to a fire. The flames also don’t travel as fast if the grass is short.”

Although Judge Harris has signed the order to prohibit the outdoor burning beginning tomorrow, the Commissioners Court is scheduled to ratify the order next week.

When a burn ban is not in effect, a burn permit is required to do any outdoor burning in Collin County. The basic law is that no one can burn normal household garbage and can only burn vegetation natural to the property with a permit. Applications for burn permits can be obtained at the Collin County Fire Marshal's website at http://www.collincountytx.gov/fire_marshal/burn.jsp. Residents may check the status of outdoor burning by calling the fire marshal’s information line at 972-548-4799.

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