BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – As of Tuesday morning, Bexar County Commissioners Court approved a ban on outdoor burning that goes into effect immediately. The ban involves outdoor burning in unincorported Bexar County. 

Bexar County Fire Marshal Chris Lopez said that since January 2018, there have been more than 300 grass fires in the Bexar County area, 58 of which have occurred since May 1 of this year.

"The worsening conditions have created an urgent need for this. I advise all residents to be diligent and remove any fuel sources for grass fires such as dry brush piles," Lopez said. 

Residents are restricted to burning household waste in burn barrels with metal wire mesh screens that prevent the spread of sparks and flames. The order also prohibits all other outdoor burning unless authorized by the county fire marshal.

A violation of the burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a up to $500.

Some of the factors leading to the ban include:

• tall grasses
• heavy fuel loads
• changeable temperatures
• high wind speeds
• humid conditions

For more information on wildfire risk and outdoor burning guidelines visit https://www.bexar.org/630/Fire-Marshal.