Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 22, 2008

Outdoor Burn Ban in Effect for Rural Collin County

(McKINNEY, Texas) – County authorities today approved a 90-day outdoor burn ban for Collin County, after scant summer rains, high winds and low humidity have created extremely high risks for grass fires in North Texas.

The ban, which affects unincorporated areas of the county only, prohibits all outdoor burning until further notice, according to an order signed by the County Commissioners Court.

The county ban includes all ground fires and campfires and, unless conditions change that call for its cancellation, will extend through Oct. 22, 2008. Tuesday's Commissioners Court order, however, allows campfires in publicly maintained parks within the county's jurisdiction that have approved fire rings, such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineer park land around Lavon Lake.

Residents living within a city limits should contact municipal officials for specific information or restrictions regarding burning within those boundaries.

State and local fire officials also ask residents to please report all outdoor fires immediately, as current weather and ground conditions can cause even a small fire to spread rapidly. For more information, please contact Fire Marshal Steve Deffibaugh at 972-548-5576 during business hours.

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