As controlled outdoor burning gets underway in Burnet and Llano counties, authorities caution those doing so to exercise safety protocols.
With the rain, many take this opportunity to burn brush piles in unincorporated areas of the counties.
Here are some guidelines: Outdoor burning should start after sunrise and be finished before sunset; Never leave the fire unattended; Make sure you have water, shovel, soil, a means to control the fire; Clear, by mowing or grading, at least a 6 feet circle around your burn pile; Burn piles should only consist of brush, trimmings, untreated wood, or paper products. Black smoke means there is something in the pile that shouldn't be; Don't burn close to the road. The smoke could be a driving hazard to vehicles on the road; and if your brush pile has been sitting for a moment, a mom mammal or avian could be using it as a home. Double check that animals haven’t begun to use your brush pile as a home before you light.
Before you start, contact your local sheriff’s department. They will ask for your name, contact number, and address to alert callers when they call in reports of smoke. Reach the Burnet Coun- ty Sheriff's Office at 512-756-8080 and the Llano County Sheriff’s Office at 325-247-5767.
Avoid burning on red flag warning days.
