Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on the issuance of a county burn-ban, all or in part, for a period not to exceed 90 days and to authorize the County Judge to lift the ban if conditions improve.

Williamson County continues to experience warm, dry, and windy conditions contributing to conditions favorable to the rapid spread of wildfires. Local fire departments are experiencing an increase in outside fires, to include controlled burns getting out of control. Observed conditions are of grasses that are very dry as a result of a lack of adequate moisture and from heavy frost. The Keetch Byrum Drought Index (KBDI) is 286 - minimum, 576 - maximum, 459 - average ,+4 daily change as of November 30, 2017. The driest area of the county is the northwest section with a small area of remaining moisture on the eastside, which is keeping the county average lower than the actual risk. While a complete county-wide burn ban is preferred, the Williamson County Fire Chief's Association now supports a partial burn ban for the Westside of the county utilizing Interstate Highway 35 as the dividing line.