RITA COOK / Freelance Writer
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ELLIS COUNTY – Ellis County Fire Marshal Tim Birdwell reported to county commissioners earlier this month recommending the county’s burn ban be lifted.
Birdwell referred to the Keetch-Byrum Drought Index, which is an index used to determine forest fire potential.
According to Texas Weather Connection, “The drought index is based on a daily water balance, where a drought factor is balanced with precipitation and soil moisture (assumed to have a maximum storage capacity of 8-inches) and is expressed in hundredths of an inch of soil moisture depletion.”
Birdwell went into the minimum and maximum numbers, and said since Ellis County numbers are under the maximum he was requesting the ban be lifted. He said he would keep an eye on the situation and come back to the commissioners at the next meeting, Oct. 15 with an update.
Ellis County Commissioner Kyle Butler, pct. 4, made the motion to lift the burn ban, seconded by Commissioner Louis Ponder. pct. 3.
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