The Lubbock County Emergency Management told EverythingLubbock.com Lubbock County will not have a burn ban during fire threat season. The decision comes after a consensus with multiple fire departments in the South Plains, Lubbock Fire Rescue, and County Commissioners.
As the South Plains approaches the peak for fire threat season, officials wanted to assure residents of additional resources prepared for an emergency.
“We’ve seen a little bit of an increase here but I know regionally there’s been a lot of house fires and there’s been several large hundred-plus acre grass fire,” Emergency Management Coordinator Clinton Thetford said.
The National Weather Service of Lubbock issued a red flag warning for Lubbock County and surrounding areas for Friday. Although there is not a burn ban established, Texas law do not allow any burning during red flag warnings.
There are 11 different volunteer fire departments spread out throughout Lubbock County, in addition to Lubbock fire rescue. Some of those departments told EverythingLubbock.com they agree a burn ban is not needed at this time.
“Our volunteer fire departments, our fire chief right now, they don’t currently support a burn ban,” Thetford said. ” It’s their opinion that the type of fires that we’re seeing as far as people throwing out cigarettes or from the train. It’s things that a burn ban are not going to prevent.”
On critical fire threat days, Thetford said protocol will double as precautionary. For example, two fire departments will respond to a grass fire instead of one, and three for a structure fire.
Texas Forest Services is based in Lubbock County and also able to respond to an emergency if available.
Officials ask for residents to be mindful this weekend. If anyone witnesses a fire, call 911 immediately.