Montgomery County issues a county-wide burn ban effective today through next Monday.

 

 A lack of rainfall, drought conditions, and windy fall weather have led to an extreme fire risk in the county. County Emergency Management Director Rick Whitson says the ban was needed because of the multiple fires over the weekend.

 

The Dearing Fire Department has been responding to an average of seven fire calls per day. Undersheriff Christopher Williams was also at the meeting and told commissioners that the Sheriff's Department will be enforcing the burn ban and that violations will be considered a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by a citation. Whitson says the strain on area fire agencies is costly for the county.

 

The burn ban is effective as of today Monday, October 28, 2024, though there is rain in the forecast for later this week. If the county gets significant rain this week, the ban can be rescinded by County Commission Chair Mike Cordray. Otherwise, commissioners will consider whether to extend the ban or allow it to end next Monday, November 3.