STATE OF TEXAS                                     §

 

COUNTY OF ERATH                                §

 

 

 

ORDER RESTRICTING OUTDOOR BURNING

 

 

WHEREAS, the Commissioners Court has determined that circumstances present in the unincorporated area of the county create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning;

 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED by the Commissioners Court of Erath County that all outdoor burning is banned for 90 days from the date of this Order, unless the restrictions are terminated earlier based on a determination made by this Court, included welding.  This Order is adopted pursuant to Local Government Code, §352.081, 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) firefighters training; (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; or (3) harvesting of agricultural crop.

 

Where Welding must be performed in the field, the following mitigating efforts will be in force until the fire emergency declaration has expired:

  • All areas where welding, cutting or grinding operations are being performed will be free of vegetation for at least twenty-five (25) feet in all directions;
  • Surface around welding area will be wetted down;
  • Wind speeds must be no more than 20 miles per hour while performing welding, cutting or grinding operations outside of barriers or enclosures;
  • A dedicated fire watch person will attend each welder, cutter, grinder and any activity that causes a spark;
  • A minimum of one (1) water pressure fire extinguisher per fire watch person is required
  • A minimum of 25 gallons of water on site;
  • Each site will have cellular telephone communications for emergency response;
  • All welding, cutting, and grinding operations may be performed in a total welding enclosure, or “welding box”, that is sufficiently high to control sparks and includes a fire retardant cover over the top.  Winds speeds must not exceed 30 miles per hour while utilizing an enclosure;

a.                   Where welding (above ground and sub-surface) is required in an area where there is a  potential  for a hazardous atmosphere, barriers will be substituted for total enclosures (e.g. “wind walls”) to prevent sparks from coming in contact with any combustible material;

b.                  The barriers will be installed to allow ventilation of the worked area and ingress and egress to the work area for personnel safety;

c.                   Sub-surface, or “bell hole”, welding and grinding operations within approved excavations are allowed if all other mitigation efforts are included.

 

In accordance with Local Government Code, §352.081, a violation of this Order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00.

 

 

Adopted this 18th day of July, 2008 by a vote of ________ ayes and _____ nays.

 

 

 

 

                                    ______________

                                    TAB THOMPSON, ERATH COUNTY JUDGE

 

 

ATTEST:  _______________________________

                  Gwinda Jones, Erath County Clerk