Henderson County Commissioners decided to leave the current burn ban in place for at least another week Tuesday morning after hearing the county’s Keetch-Byrum Drought Index (KBDI) numbers are still high despite recent rains.
Fire Marshal Shane Renberg reported the county’s KBDI average is 595, still 20 points above the suggested level for a burn ban.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin pointed out the sporadic nature of the past week’s rains.
“These rains we are having, although we all know we are having rains, are spotty,” he said.
“Until we can get a consistent amount of rainfall throughout the county, I’m nervous of lifting it because the fuel load hasn’t gone away,” he added.
Commissioners will review the burn ban once again during their regular meeting next Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Ignoring the burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500.
— By Michael V. Hannigan/Weinstein Law HCN