Henderson County burn ban fizzles out
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

The Henderson County ban on outdoor burning, in effect most of February and early March, has finally died due to conditions no longer being optimal for the spread of fire.

Jean Godwin, County Judge David Holstein's Court Coordinator, said at the commissioner's court meeting on Tuesday, March 11, the court decided not to reinstate the burn ban.

"The fire marshal recommended the burn ban not be reinstated due to recent rainfall and the forecast of more rain," Godwin said.

The strategy as far as dealing with the burn bans and rainfall is one that calls for weekly situation monitoring.

Godwin said the burn ban issue will be an agenda item that appears on a weekly basis. Each week the commissioner's court will visit the issue and decide based on local weather and other specifics whether or not the burn ban should be reinstated.

Because of this approach, the next possible time the burn ban could be reinstated is Tuesday, March 18 at the morning commissioner's court meeting.

Until then, outdoor burns are legal once more.

Burns were illegal due to a ban during the month of February, and a declared seven day state of emergency near the beginning of March. Overall, the ban was in effect from February 8 to March 7.

The commissioner's court also looked at the possibility of creating an Emergency Service District for the Brownsboro area.

Scott Martin, firefighter for West Side Volunteer Fire Department, said an Emergency Service District establishes a boundary line so tax money can go to help pay for the costs of maintaining a fire department.

"Though no one likes the word `taxes', it's something that greatly increases an area's protection," Martin said.

Martin also said fire departments like West Side rely on grants and donations, and this limited income can make getting firefighter equipment prove difficult.

The date was set for an ESD hearing on April 1 at the commissioner's court meeting. If approved at this meeting, the Emergency Service District can be voted on in upcoming elections.

Exact boundary lines for the district are available at the Henderson County Clerk's office and will be published in next week's paper.