Tuesday rain may cancel need for Wednesday burn ban

Walker County’s countywide burn ban is set to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday unless the Walker County Judge Colt Christian cancels it. Commissioners Court approved the ban on Monday. The rule, which had been in place Aug. 24 before being lifted Oct. 5, will apply again after officials cited unusually dry live fuel. Commissioners granted Christian authority to cancel it after consulting Emergency Management coordinator Josh Mizrany, with the precaution driven by Tuesday’s forecast uncertainty. Mizrany said loblolly pine live fuel moisture is at its lowest since 2001, and the average Keetch-Byram Drought Index reading is 536 versus a usual critical threshold of 575. Officials also amended three contracts tied to FEMA flood reimbursement provisions.