Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2006

Collin County enhances plan to prevent wildfires

(McKinney, TX) – The Collin County Commissioners Court today extended and increased an executive order banning the use of outdoor combustibles in an effort to reduce the county’s risk of wildfires. As the commissioners court expanded the executive order, they also expanded the disaster declaration, so the ban is in effect for all cities under the county's emergency plan, not just unincorporated areas. Cities with Homerule status are conducting similar enforcements. Additionally, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office will add patrols to assist with this order.

Updates to the executive order include the following:

• Welding and other hot work will now require a permit. (There will not be a charge for permits issued by the Collin County Fire Marshal’s Office for unincorporated areas. Residents who live in municipalities are asked to check with their individual cities for permit information.) Section 2602 of the International Fire Code defines hot work as operations including cutting, welding, Thermit welding, brazing, soldering, grinding, thermal spraying, thawing pipe, installation of torch-applied roof systems or any other similar activity.
• All outdoor burning is prohibited.
• The use of any fireworks classified as 1.4G (all handheld and aerial consumer fireworks) and 1.3G (professional fireworks requiring a pyrotechnic’s license) is prohibited, except as provided by law for public displays requiring a permit.
• The use of any open flame grill, barbeque grill or smoker using charcoal or wood as fuel is prohibited, unless the devise has a firebox that is completely enclosed. (A firebox is a unit that has a door as opposed to a lid.)
• The use of any portable table top grill is prohibited. This includes camping stoves using white gas (Coleman fuel).
• The use of free standing patio-style fire places and wood burning stoves is prohibited unless the firebox is completely enclosed.

“North Texas is contending with an emergency situation,” says Collin County Judge Ron Harris. “We must take an active role in protecting the residents of Collin County.”

The Collin County Sheriff’s Office, constables and Fire Marshal’s Office will enforce a zero-tolerance policy on any use of combustible materials outdoors.

“We will have two extra units out per day to concentrate on the enforcement of this ban,” says Collin County Sheriff Terry Box.

Residents who witness a person violating this ban or who see a fire are asked to call 9-1-1.

“We are urging residents to not contact their local volunteer fire departments. Instead, residents should call 9-1-1 if they need to report a fire. Calling 9-1-1 is the best way for emergency crews to respond,” says Collin County Fire Marshal Steve Deffibaugh.

Today’s executive order and continuance of a disaster declaration coincide with the county’s burn ban, which was extended on December 23rd. The order, declaration and burn ban are set to expire on March 23rd.

Residents may check the status of outdoor burning by calling the fire marshal’s information line at 972-548-4799.

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