Disaster Declaration - 3/17/25
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With current drought and fire danger conditions persisting in Kerr County, Judge Rob Kelly has issued a Disaster Order, effective starting noon today, March 17th, and lasting for seven days, restricting outdoor burning in Kerr County. The Kerr County Emergency Management Plan has been activated with the signing of this Order.
All open campfires, along with all brush, trash, and debris burns are prohibited. Fines of up to $1000 and up to 180 days jail time are possible criminal penalties for violation of this Order, per Section 418.173 of the Texas Government Code.
Anyone doing outdoor work that includes high heat sources, including welding or using a cutting torch, shall have adequate water or other fire suppressant on site and immediately available. Outdoor cooking falls under this definition as well – if you must cook outside during this time, please remain present with the heat source and have a plan to extinguish any fire that may escape.
This year has been an active one for wind and fire in our region. Please do your part to keep yourself, neighbors, and other citizens safe from preventable losses of life and property.
From the Order:
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all outdoor burning, including but not limited to outdoor burning of trash, brush, trees, storm debris, construction material debris or open campfires is prohibited until expiration of this Order, unless renewed, continued or rescinded by the Commissioners Court of Kerr County, Texas, or by further Order of the County Judge.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all outdoor hot work, such as welding or cutting with a torch, should be avoided if at all possible, and any outdoor hot work that must be performed shall only be conducted when adequate water or other appropriate fire suppressant is on site and available for immediate deployment.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this state of disaster will continue until rescinded in accordance with the above cited statute, but in no instance will this declaration continue for more than seven days without being authorized by the Kerr County Commissioners Court.