BY JOE EDWARDS, MELISSA ENAJE & DANIEL WEEKS
Harris County’s burn ban in effect until October A burn ban is in effect until at least October in unincorporated Harris County after commissioners approved a measure Aug. 8 citing extreme tempera- tures and continuous dry conditions. Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen said excessive heat conditions and a lack of rain have elevated various environ- mental levels that could cause potential forest fires. Quote of note “The burn ban is in place to reduce the potential of a devastating wildfire happening in our commu- nity,” Christensen said. Zooming out As of Aug. 8, Harris County’s average drought scale was 681, according to county officials. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index measures drought conditions on a scale from 0-800. Conditions between 600-800 have the potential to lead to intense, prolonged fires.
Commissioners raise vet staff salaries Harris County commissioners approved adjusting the base salary for key positions within the county’s Veterinary Public Health Division on Aug. 8, which includes animal control officers, technicians and veterinarians. The additional funding of more than $563,000 for the market-rate salary adjust- ments will be absorbed within Harris County Public Health’s current budget, Executive Director Barbie Robinson said. Going forward Commissioners will also consider adding three veterinarians to the county payroll, according to the proposed fiscal year 2023-24 budget that is up for adoption in September. Officials from the county’s public health services department recommended the addi- tional positions to improve shelter operations.
What’s allowed:
Approved ceremonial fires
Noncommercial cooking, such as backyard cookouts and barbecues
Welding performed under county fire code requirements
Sale or use of fireworks, but fire marshal’s office discourages using fireworks during the ban
What’s not:
No outdoor, open burning is allowed except in outdoor burning activities authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Those actions found in violation of the burn ban will be considered a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500.
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Fort Bend County warns locals of ongoing jury scam Fort Bend County District Clerk Beverly Walker issued a warning alerting citizens about an ongoing jury scam that has been targeting local residents, according to an Aug. 18 news release. The details
“Under no circumstances will the Fort Bend County District Clerk’s Office request sensitive information like Social Security numbers or credit card details over the phone.” BEVERLY WALKER, FORT BEND COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK
According to the release, these scammers have been making threatening calls to residents, falsely claiming the recipients have failed to report for jury service. The scammers then demand immediate payment of a fine under the guise of preventing a warrant for arrest. If residents receive calls of this nature, they should contact the sheriff’s office immediately at 281-341-4686 to file a report and seek assistance.
The scam involves identity thieves posing as rep- resentatives of the Fort Bend County District Clerk’s Office or the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.
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