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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2006

Collin County burn ban lifted; winds prompt daily adjustments to ban

(McKinney, TX) –Because of recent rain, Collin County has lifted its burn ban; however, county officials will continue to conduct daily assessments and adjust provisions, accordingly.

“Because Collin County has received such a blessing of rain, it has significantly impacted our drought index,” says Collin County Fire Marshal Steve Deffibaugh. “Much of the vegetation is turning green I recommended that the burn ban, disaster declaration for wildfire and the Executive Order coinciding with the disaster declaration be terminated.”

Collin County Judge Ron Harris accepted the fire marshal’s request and lifted the ban, declaration and order today.

Legal outdoor burning will be decided each day depending on weather conditions. No burn permits will be required until April 20th; however, rules must continue to be followed.

Because wind and various other weather conditions may vary daily, residents wishing to conduct outdoor burning should call the Collin County Fire Marshal’s hotline, 972-548-4799, to learn whether or not burning will be permitted on the day they wish to burn. For example, wind has prompted the county to not permit outdoor burning today.

The burn ban originally went into effect on June 24, 2005. Since that time, the Collin County Commissioners Court has continued to extend it due to the drought index.

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