County extends burn ban for 90 days

By Linda Perkins

Anvil Herald Reporter

At their regular meeting Monday, February 23, Medina County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to extend the current burn ban instituted December 1, 2025, for an additional 90 days. 

“The extended ban will begin at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, February 28,” said Medina County Judge Keith Lutz. 

Prior to the vote, Medina County Emergency Management/Fire Marshal Mark Chadwick briefed the court on dire drought conditions that necessitate a burn ban extension.

Chadwick referred to the  Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures soil moisture from zero (completely saturated soil) to 800, where the soil is absolutely dry. A score above 450 is considered as entering into elevated risk.

Medina County’s score is 704, Chadwick noted. This places the area at a critical risk for fire.

Along with the extremely dry soil, current weather conditions -- winds and low relative humidity of 14-to-15 percent -- cause a fire to race and actually build up its own inertia, Chadwick continued.

The fire marshal praised Commissioners Jessica Castiglione, Precinct 1; Larry Sittre, Pct. 2; David Lynch, Pct. 3; and Danny Lawler, Pct. 4 for keeping grass and brush cleared from areas along roadways.

Although the burn ban will continue, Chadwick said county residents can still receive exceptions for controlled burns.

To conduct a controlled burn, they should first call the Medina County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number 830-741-6153, where they will receive instructions about how to apply for an exception.

Chadwick also referred to a Feb. 15 press release that  Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to “activate additional resources in anticipation of elevated-to-critical fire weather conditions in large areas of South, West and Northwest Texas.

“Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary resources to thwart any wildfire threats in our state,” said Gov. Abbott. 

“Texans are urged to create an emergency fire plan, heed the guidance of state and local officials and limit any activities that can cause a spark to best keep themselves and loved ones safe.”