Burn Ban Delayed For County

Monday’s heavy thunderstorms throughout Van Zandt County might have staved off an outdoor burn ban.

In a county commissioners’ court meeting Tuesday, consideration of a ban was postponed until a special session next week.

The issue was put on the agenda by county fire marshal Chuck Allen, who was absent from Tuesday’s court meeting due to education training elsewhere.

Van Zandt County Judge Rhita Koches said the county’s fire hazard index was "between 600-700" before Monday’s rainfall of nearly two inches.

"I have a feeling that (index number) will change today," she said before her suggestion to the commissioners that the issue be tabled until a meeting set for next Tuesday.

In an unrelated matter, the commissoners’ court unanimously authorized Allen to apply for a grant from the Texas Forestry Service for a laptop computer.