Kerr Judge implements burn ban and no dig order for eclipse

On Tuesday, April 2, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly amended and clarified an eclipse-related, limited time burn ban and no dig order announced the previous day.

The amended order stipulates that a countywide burn ban will be in place from 12 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, until noon on Wednesday, April 10. This order prohibits open flames, sparks or embers.

The burn ban makes it unlawful to burn brush piles, prescribed burns and other agricultural burning practices, the judge explained. The burn does not apply to supervised, outdoor cooking areas or fire pits, he added.

The no dig order, which will be in effect for the same time period (12 a.m. on April 6 until noon on April 10), prohibits all underground trenching and boring construction operations along or in highway rights of way. Those practices should be suspended during that time frame.

The no dig order does not include residential construction, water well drilling, excavation of holes for fence post construction, septic system construction or service, or ranch operations if utility locations have been acquired through the Texas 811 system (www.texas811.org), the judge clarified.

Kerr County is in the direct line of the total solar eclipse that will traverse North America. Being in the “path of totality” means that the area is expected to see its normal 53,000 population swell to double, if not triple (or more), in size throughout the days leading up to and including the day of the event.

The resulting traffic congestion, plus the strain on first responders, local medical providers, food and fuel supplies and infrastructure could pose a threat to the safety of residents.

That, and the hope of qualifying for state resources, is what instigated the initial disaster declaration. Having the declaration in place authorizes the county to take any actions necessary to promote life safety and critical infrastructure protection.

That includes this burn ban and no dig measure signed into effect by Judge Kelly with the main purpose being to protect the communications infrastructure during the eclipse event.

To read the official order, click the Download Article button.