County modifies burn ban

BURN BAN MODIFIED — County commissioners approved modifying the burn ban Monday. Burn bans will be subject to weather warnings, as outlined by the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth. BRIAN KNOX/WCMESSENGER

Wise County will revert back to enforcing a burn ban depending on daily weather conditions.

Commissioners voted to end the complete prohibition of burning, following a recommendation by Wise County Fire Marshal Jeff Doughty. Burn bans will now be subject to weather warnings, as outlined by the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth.

“We’re seeing a significant green-up, my recommendation would be to end the current ban and replace it with the burn ban in accordance with the National Weather Service,” Doughty said. “It will be day-to-day depending on the weather service warnings.”

The updated burn ban will be in place for 90 days.

From January until Monday outdoor burning other than cooking and welding was prohibited.

All of Wise County is under moderate drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. The average in the Keetch-Byram Drought Index is 289. KBDI measures the wildfire potential by taking into account the soil moisture on a scale ranging from 0 to 800.

The National Weather Service office in Fort Worth anticipates an elevated threat of wildfires in Wise County Wednesday afternoon.

To check burn-ban status, call 940-627-5870 and press 4.