• David Tewes •
• Originally published January 5, 2009 at 11:42 p.m., updated January 5, 2009 at 11:42 p.m.

The threat of rain this week wasn't enough Monday to keep the commissioners court from imposing a ban on outdoor burning in rural Victoria County.

It went into effect immediately and will remain in effect until the court decides weather conditions have improved enough.

"Over the last week, we've had a major increase in the call volume," said County Fire Marshal Ronald Pray, who recommended adoption of the ban by the court.

Those fires have been from a combination of sources, including careless burning, controlled burns that got out of control and fireworks.

"I'd say we've seen at least a 50 percent increase in the number of calls in the past week," Pray said. "The number just keeps climbing and things are just getting drier."

County Judge Don Pozzi said the commissioner court doesn't like to have to impose burn bans, but they are sometimes necessary to protect property and lives.

"I think it has become obvious we are left with very little choice," he said. "It is awfully dry out there."

And the chance of weather conditions improving in the foreseeable future are slim.

"There is no relief in sight from what we're seeing," Pray said. "There is no significant rain in the forecast."

Violation of the burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

• Burn ban exceptions

  Household garbage may be burned in a closed or screened container.

  Outdoor burning related to public health and safety and authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is allowed for:

  Firefighting training

  Public utility, natural ...

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Burn ban exceptions

Household garbage may be burned in a closed or screened container.

Outdoor burning related to public health and safety and authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is allowed for:

Firefighting training

Public utility, natural gas pipeline and mining operations.

Planting and harvesting crops

Burning conducted by a prescribed burn manager

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