Order of Palo Pinto County Commissioners

Order Restricting Outdoor Burning

     WHEREAS, the Commissioners Court has determined that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area of Palo Pinto County create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning.

       IT IS ORDERED by the commissioner's court of Palo Pinto County, Texas that all outdoor burning is BANNED in Palo Pinto County for 90 DAYS from the date of adoption of this order, unless these restrictions are terminated earlier based on a determination made by this Court.  This Order is adopted pursuant to Section 352.081 of the Local Government Code and other applicable statutes.

This  ORDER does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Natural Resources Commission for (1) firefighting training; (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; (3) planting or harvesting of agricultural crops; or (4) burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Section 153.048, Natural Resources Code and meet the standards of Section 153.047, Natural Resources Code.

     This Order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities as follows:  (1) outdoor burning when used solely for recreational and noncommercial preparation of food or exclusively as a means to provide warmth in cold weather (e.g.: campfires and cooking fires) and (2) outdoor cooking on gas fired or charcoal grills.

     A violation of this Order is a Class "C" misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00 (Section 352.081 (b), Local Government Code.)

Adopted this 3rd Day of January, 2008 by the Commissioner's Court of Palo Pinto County, Texas by a voice vote without opposition.

Mike A. Smiddy - County Judge
Ted Ray - Commissioner, Precinct 1
Edgar Laney - Commissioner, Precinct 2
George Nowak - Commisioner, Precinct 3
Jeff Fryer - Commissioner, Precinct 4