Smith County Fire Mashal warns of increased grassfire risk

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue spoke at Commissioners Court on Tuesday warning residents of increased grassfires.

According to a release, Hogue told the court that if Smith County doesn’t see rain in the next week there may be a need for a burn ban. From Aug. 27 to Sept. 3 there were nine grassfires in Smith County and from Sept. 3 to Sept. 10 there were 27, Hogue reported.

The Fire Marshal urged that residents be extra cautious when doing burning of any kind, and to refrain from burning on windy days.

“There is a chance of rain on Wednesday from Tropical Storm Francine, but Hogue said he is afraid it will be little or no rain with heavy winds,” Smith County officials said.

On Tuesday, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Smith County went up to 659 from 641 the previous week, the KBDI measures forest fire risk and maxes out at 800, according to the release.

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