By Scott Harvey
Fannin County – A lack of rainfall and threat of wildfires has prompted Fannin County Judge Butch Henderson to declare of state of disaster for the county, effective as Friday, October 31.
In a release issued by the county, the current drought conditions pose a great threat of large, dangerous and fast moving wildfires, and such fires have the potential of endangering lives and damaging property on a large scale.
Under the declaration, residents living in any unincorporated portion of Fannin County are not to burn any combustible material, including the use of burn barrels and for trash. Exceptions include those burning for firefighter training, welding, and public utility, natural gas pipeline, or mining operations.
Those found in violation of the burn ban are subject to a penalty of up to $500.
The state of disaster is to continue for a maximum of 10 days, unless rescinded earlier. The declaration would continue only if authorized by the Fannin County Commissioners Court.