BURN BAN INFORMATION
·
On November 10, 2010 the Wise
County Commissioners’ Court issued a burn ban
order prohibiting
outdoor burning of any
combustible, vegetative, or metal material outdoors (this includes welding and
related activities), during
periods in which the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning
for Wise County.
· Unlike previous burn bans, this order is based on a day-by-day forecast that takes into consideration humidity, wind speed, and available fuels.
· Historically, Wise County has averaged thirteen (13) Red Flag days per year. Red Flag Warnings are issued when fire condition become so extreme, that any wildfire is predicted to be beyond the control of the initial responding fire department.
· To determine if there is a Red Flag Warning, please visit the National Weather Service website http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/firebrief3.php ,or call the Wise County Sheriff’s Office at 940-627-5971. To report a burn ban violation, simply dial 9-1-1.
· Anytime you engage in outdoor burning, we ask that that you call the Sheriff’s Office at 940-627-5971 and log the burn. This will help 9-1-1 dispatchers determine whether to send the fire department if a fire is reported at your address.
· Citizens should understand that it may be illegal, and unsafe, to engage in outdoor burning even when a Red Flag Warning has not been issued. All outdoor burning must comply with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules, and incorporated cities may have ordinances that you must comply with. To view TCEQ rules go to http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assets/public/legal/rules/rules/pdflib/111b.pdf
·
Complaints about
outdoor burning should be filed with TCEQ by calling 817-588-5800 (ask for an Open Burning Investigator), or
online at http://www5.tceq.state.tx.us/oce/complaints/
·
Citizens should
understand the following liabilities when
engaging in outdoor burning:
o
Violation of a
Burn Ban Order can result in a fine up to $500.
o
Violation of TCEQ
rules may result in one (1) year in jail and a fine up to $4,000.
o
A fire that
damages property belonging to another (e.g. a grass fire that crosses a property
line) can result in a fine up to $500, and court ordered restitution.
o
Outdoor burning
that results in death, injury, or damages a building belonging to another may
result in two (2) years in state jail, a fine up to $10,000 and court ordered
restitution.
o A court may find that you have additional criminal and civil liability.
