Good News, Comal County! Burn Ban Lifted on March 28th!

Spring Branch, TX! Today's Date: March 29, 2025

Residents of Comal County experienced a welcome change yesterday! Thanks to the significant rainfall over the preceding days, the burn ban was lifted on Friday, March 28th, 2025.

Comal County Fire Marshal Kory Klabunde announced the temporary lifting of the ban. On Thursday, March 27th, 2025, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) had fallen to 488 points, dropping below the critical threshold of 500 that necessitates a burn ban.

Further reports indicate that by Friday, March 28th, 2025, the KBDI had continued to improve, reaching 477 points. This significant drop allowed for the temporary rescinding of the burn ban on March 28th.

Important Reminders for Outdoor Burning (During the Lifting on March 28th):

Even during the short period when the burn ban was lifted on March 28th, Comal County officials strongly advised residents to exercise extreme caution if they engaged in any outdoor burning. The following safety guidelines remained critical:

• Check Wind Conditions: Burning should not have been conducted if wind speeds were predicted to exceed 23 mph (20 knots) during the burn period. Checking weather forecasts, such as on weather.com, was essential.
• Maintain a Safe Distance: Fires must have been kept far away from all structures, trees, fences, and flammable materials.
• Never Leave a Fire Unattended: Continuous, responsible adult supervision was mandatory for any outdoor fire.
• Have Water and Fire Suppression Tools Ready: Easy access to water sources (hoses, buckets) and tools (shovels, rakes) was crucial for immediate fire control.
• Be Prepared for Changing Conditions: Weather can shift rapidly; being ready to extinguish fires quickly was vital.
• Follow TCEQ Regulations: All outdoor burning, even when a burn ban is not in effect, must adhere to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations. Information on these rules can be found on the Comal County Fire Marshal's website or by contacting TCEQ at (210) 490-3096.
• Burn Between Sunrise and Sunset: Burning should have occurred between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset on Friday, March 28th.
• Ensure Complete Extinguishment: All fires, including embers, must have been fully extinguished before leaving the area.

What Was Likely Still Prohibited Under the Previous Burn Ban (Even During the Temporary Lifting, Caution Was Advised):

While the burn ban was temporarily lifted until further notice on March 28th, it's important to remember what activities are typically restricted under a full burn ban. Even during a temporary lifting, exercising caution with these activities is always recommended:

• Campfires (any size)
• Chimineas, fire pits, and fire rings
• Bonfires (any size, day or night)
• Burn piles (day or night, including glowing embers)
• Burning of household waste (unless in a container that contains all sparks and flames - check local regulations)
• Burning of non-wood construction materials, rubber, plastics, treated lumber, etc.

Stay Informed:

The burn ban status can change quickly based on weather conditions and the KBDI. To stay up to date:

• Visit the Comal County website:
• Contact the Comal County Fire Marshal's Office at (830) 643-3748.
• Check local news outlets.

Let's all remain vigilant and responsible to prevent wildfires in Comal County. Enjoy this opportunity and thank you for burning responsibly!