Popular Categories


County enacts first burn ban of 2021


The Uvalde County Commissioners Court unanimously voted Monday to enact the first county burn ban of 2021, which has been a dry year with only 2.59 inches of rainfall so far this year, well below the current 117-year-average of 4.74 inches.

Thunderstorms were possible Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, but the persistent dry conditions also led commissioners to vote against allowing the sale of fireworks in Uvalde County for the Cinco de Mayo holiday. 

County Judge Bill Mitchell said the 90-day ban came after his discussions of the dry conditions with members of the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department.

The National Weather Service issued an alert Friday, April 9 there was a red flag warning in effect from noon to 7 p.m. for the area due to warm temperatures, wind gusts up to 30 mph and relatively low humidity of about seven percent.

According to the NWS, a red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring or expected to occur immediately.

In light of the burn ban, commissioners also unanimously voted against allowing fireworks, which are prohibited except by special allowance, to be sold during the Cinco de Mayo holiday celebration period from May 1-5. 

Previously, the most recent burn ban was enacted on Nov. 23, 2020, and rescinded on Jan. 1 of this year.

Violating the ban is a Class C misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $500.

The ban does not prohibit burning activities related to public health and safety authorized by the Texas Natural Resources Commission, such as firefighter training; public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; planting or harvesting of agriculture crops; and controlled burns conducted by a certified prescribed burn manager.

The order also does not prohibit burning for the preparation of food, provided that it is constantly monitored by an individual 18 years or older.

The decisions were rendered during a Zoom teleconference meeting held at 10 a.m.