After recent rains lowered wildfire risks, Montgomery County has lifted the burn ban, allowing residents to burn limbs and leaves outdoors. However, burning trash remains illegal, and residents are urged to stay cautious during burning activities.
The burn prohibition has been lifted by Montgomery County officials in response to the recent rainfall, which has mitigated the risk of wildfires. County Judge Mark Keough declared in a post that residents are now permitted to fire limbs and leaves, but burning trash is still illegal.
The burn prohibition was initially implemented on October 14 in response to the elevated wildfire risk in the region and was subsequently extended on October 22. As the risk of wildfires has decreased, residents are now permitted to engage in outdoor burning activities securely, provided they comply with the regulations.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is employed to monitor the fire risk of the county, as it assesses the level of forest fire hazard on a scale of 0 to 800. Montgomery County's average KBDI was 463 as of November 5, suggesting a moderate fire risk. Although the burn prohibition is no longer in effect, the county encourages residents to exercise caution and be aware of the weather conditions when burning outdoors.
Officials continue to discourage the burning of garbage, as it presents supplementary environmental and safety hazards. Residents need to adhere to local regulations and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of flames.
