Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Lamar County Volunteer Fire Departments have responded to at least twenty-two (22) wildfire events, including structure fires. Accordingly, and due to the current ongoing dangerous fire conditions, that continue within Lamar County, such as lack of rainfall, severe drought conditions, high winds, dormant, dry foliage, Lamar County Judge M.C. Superville, Jr., per advisement of and in consultation with the Lamar County Department of Emergency Management, the Lamar County Volunteer Fire Departments, and the Texas Forestry Service, has issued an Emergency Bum Ban beginning today, November 27, 2017 and extending through December 3, 2017. Fines for burning during this period could be up to $500.00.
The Lamar County Department of Emergency Management emphasizes that current windy and dry conditions continue in Lamar County creating an unsafe condition for outdoor burning.
Anytime a fire is started on a property, that extends to another property causing any damage, the owner of the originating property can be fined up to $500.00. Also, the property owner could be held responsible for any damages to other property to which the fire extends.
An Emergency Bum Ban issued by the Lamar County Judge prohibits all outdoor burning for a period not longer than seven (7) days but can be renewed on or before that 7th day.