Government
BY MELISSA ENAJE
Harris County’s burn ban in eect until October A burn ban is in eect 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 res. Quote of note “The burn ban is in place to reduce the potential of a devastating wildre happening in our commu- nity,” Christensen said. Zooming out As of Aug. 22, Harris County’s average drought scale was 755, according to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures drought condi- tions on a scale from 0-800. Conditions between 600-800 have the potential to lead to intense, prolonged res.
Commissioners raise vet sta 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 ocers, 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 scal year 2023-24 budget that is up for adoption in September. Ocials from the county’s public health services department recommended the addi- tional positions to improve shelter operations.
What’s allowed:
Approved ceremonial res
Noncommercial cooking, such as backyard cookouts and barbecues
Welding performed under county re code requirements
Sale or use of reworks, but re marshal’s oce discourages using reworks 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 ne up to $500.
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
For nearly sixty years we’ve provided essential care for the place we call home. Saving lives in the middle of the night at a nationally renowned trauma center. Delivering at-risk babies against all odds, from all across the county.
You might not know our name. And that’s okay.
YOU’LL KNOW US BY THE WORK WE DO.
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