Montgomery County is in the grip of an escalating drought crisis, with officials imposing restrictions to mitigate the risk of wildfire. According to a post on the Splendora Police Department Facebook page, the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) readings average at a troubling 693 and are climbing by more than 4 points daily, inching the region closer to the maximum wildfire condition index of 800. Some areas have already surpassed a KBDI of 740, sounding further alarms.
Due to the parched weather conditions and with no precipitation in sight, an official disaster declaration banning all outdoor burning has been enacted. This ban encompasses the burning of both limbs and leaves, integrating with the existing year-round prohibition against burning household trash. With fires, the county must face the fact that the weather affords no leniency to fire's ravage. "The order further requires commercial land clearing operations utilizing air curtain incinerators to cease burning as well until inspected by the Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office," the announcement states, requiring operators to display and provide TCEQ permits to inspectors promptly.
The burning prohibition is set to go into effect at the stroke of midnight, initiating the first minute tomorrow. This directive aims to lower the odds of a wildfire outbreak which could devastate the already drought-stricken region severely.
Governor Abbott has extended the preventative measures beyond Montgomery County, bringing a disaster declaration into effect for 143 Texas counties in total. Facing a heightened wildfire threat, Texas marshals its resources to safeguard the land.
