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

October 8, 2004

Collin County to lift burn ban

(McKinney, TX) – Collin County’s burn ban will be lifted on Monday. According to Fire Marshal Steve Deffibaugh, the much-needed rain has helped drop the Keetch Byram Drought Index to an acceptable level. It is below the required 500 KBDI recommended by the Texas Forest Service for a burn ban to be issued. At certain times in August and September, the index reached to nearly 700 KBDI, which means the county’s fire danger was extremely high.

The burn ban was issued on August 17th. Burn bans are usually in effect for 90 days, unless the fire marshal recommends a lifting or an extension.

When a burn ban is not in effect, a burn permit is required to do any outdoor burning in unincorporated areas. The basic law is that no one can burn normal household garbage and can only burn natural vegetation 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. Permits are $15 and are good for one year.

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