By Order of the Mayor:

The City of Simonton has lifted the burn ban that has been in force since the spring of 2011.  The burn ban will officially be lifted as of Wednesday, January 4, 2012.  In making this decision, the City is following the lead of Fort Bend County, which lifted its ban on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.
 
The City would like to thank the residents of Simonton for their patience in honoring the burn ban.  It is because of their patience and understanding the risks of burning when it was so dry that Simonton had no wildfires.  This proves that when we work together, we can make a difference for our community by protecting lives and property.
 
Now, as we begin to burn our piles of brush, limbs and leaves, we must be extremely careful since many of us have burn piles that are excessively large.  Please recognize that this material has been drying for some time.  When this material burns, it will burn fast, hot and high.  It can get out of control very quickly.  It would be far better to separate your pile and burn it a little at a time than to try to burn all at once.
 
Even though the Burn Ban is lifted, please recognize that we are still in a drought.  There may still be a risk of wildfires and brush fires – especially if we’re not as careful as possible.  So, it’s up to each resident of Simonton who chooses to burn to take on the full responsibility of burning safely.
 
Remember: Safety First:

NEVER BURN:

• poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac
• treated lumber
• construction debris
• pesticides or material treated with pesticides
• chemicals, paint, oil
• mattresses
• plastic, rubber, tires, batteries
• or anything else that would pollute our air or water

When you burn:

• Keep a phone handy so you can call 911 if your fire gets out of hand.
• Don’t burn on a windy day.
• Stay with your fire until it’s out.
• Keep your fire a manageable size.
• Make sure that the area is safe to burn in. Clear away dried leaves, grass and other fuel sources that can cause your fire to spread.
• Keep your fire far from other’s homes or property for safety.
• Be Considerate: Don’t burn if the smoke will go toward a neighbor’s home.
• Only burn wood, limbs or leaves. 
• Have a water hose available and do not leave a fire unattended. 
• Extinguish the coals or fire completely with water once you are finished.
• Please note that according to Simonton’s Burn Ban Ordinance, outdoor burning after dark is never allowed.

One last thing: Unless we get a prolonged period of rain soon, it is quite possible that the City will have to order another Burn Ban.  If you plan to burn and you find that the conditions are right and if you can burn safely and responsibly, don’t delay.
 
Once again, thank you for your patience during the drought.  
 
Reference: Simonton Burn Ban Ordinance