County remains under burn ban

Young County has been under a burn ban since Dec. 13, 2021. After recent burn ban violations, including a violation after rain early in the week, Young County Sheriff Travis Babcock reminds community members the ban is still in effect.

The order will remain in place until Saturday, March 12, or until lifted by the commissioners court, or restrictions are canceled early by the Young County Judge based on a determination by the Texas Forest Service that hazardous conditions no longer exist.

The order bans the burning of trash or brush as well as open campfires. The order does not prohibit outdoor cooking in enclosed pits. It also does not prohibit outdoor burning related to public health and safety authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for firefighter training, public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations, planting or harvesting of agricultural crops, or burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under the Natural Resources Code and meets the standards under that code.

A violation of the order is a Class C misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500. Criminal charges are possible if the fire spreads and causes property damage to others. According to the Young County Blotter, 16 citations have been issued since Dec. 13 and through Thursday for burn ban violations. In one instance, the same property owner received citations on multiple occasions. Young County Sheriff Babcock said that the fine amount could increase for multiple violations and, for the most part, grass fires caused by violations have been accidental.

For the rest of the story, see the Feb. 26 edition of The Graham Leader.