Hold On to Your Butts: A Dozen Small Fires in One Day
The Austin Fire Department responded to six small grass fires along major roads yesterday afternoon. Callie Hernandez for KUT NewsThe Austin Fire Department is reminding everyone to be extra careful to prevent grass fires.
Fire crews responded to 12 calls about small grass fires Wednesday afternoon, mostly along major roads. The fire department says the flare-ups were probably caused by cigarette butts.
Travis County Commissioners put a burn ban back in effect on Tuesday. Cigarettes are not included in the burn ban, but the Austin Police Department will issue tickets for littering to anyone they see improperly disposing of butts.
According to the Travis County Fire Marshall’s office, fireworks are also excluded from the ban. However, fireworks are still not allowed to be sold or lit inside city limits.
The fire department urges residents to prevent fires this summer by lighting fireworks away from vegetation, keeping cars off dry grass and throwing away cigarettes, charcoal and other flammables in fire-proof locations.
