This followed a lifting of the ban late last week by Palo Pinto County Judge David Nicklas after weather forecasters predicted rain that never occurred.
Weather conditions led to the National Weather Service issuing increased fire weather concerns for Monday and Tuesday. That coupled with a large fire in Stephens County over the weekend and low water supplies prompted Palo Pinto County Fire Marshal Buddy Harwell to urge the ban.
“Most of the (fire) departments basically asked me to put it back on,” Harwell told commissioners.
The order prohibits the burning of brush/tree piles when clearing land, trash, yard debris or any other activities not specified as permitted. In addition, the order prohibits the use and launching of sky lanterns and any form of aerial luminaries.
The order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities when used solely for recreational and noncommercial preparation of food or exclusively as a means to provide warmth in cold weather (e.g.: campfires and cooking fires) and outdoor cooking on gas fired or charcoal grills.
Outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Natural Resources Commission for fire-fighting training; public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; planting or harvesting of agricultural crops; or burns that are conducted by a certified prescribed burn manager are not affected.
A violation is a Class “C” misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.