Erath County is back under a burn ban for 90 days after a unanimous vote by the Commissioners Court at a special called meeting Tuesday, Jan. 21.
According to Fire Marshal Tommy Shelton, they had looked at conditions and there was no significant moisture forecasted for the next 21 days, but several dry fronts are anticipated which will potentially increase fire danger by lowering humidity and increasing winds.
“It’s not going to get any better unless we get some moisture,” he said.
Over the weekend, there were two structure fires in the county including one outside Dublin with a mobile home on CR 314 near Sierra Dairy where the home was a complete loss. Though the fire remains under investigation, preliminarily an overturned heat lamp is responsible for the fire.
There was also a storage room off of a house/ carport that caught fire close to Huckabay. The house was saved thanks in part for the fast work of local volunteer fire departments. Though the fire remains under investigation, preliminarily a lithium battery may be responsible for the fire.
A small grass fire also occurred in the county but was quickly extinguished.
County Judge Brandon Huckabee said the court can remove the burn ban before 90 days should conditions improve.