Smith County’s Burn Ban Extended

EAST TEXAS – The Smith County Commissioners Court has voted to continue the burn ban that was issued last week. Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said, if the county receives the rain forecasted later this week, she said she would need to look at the conditions before considering whether to lift the burn ban. Receiving rain does not automatically lift a burn ban. And while Smith County is extending its burn ban, Cherokee County has been placed under a burn ban for 90 days. The county commissioners approved the ban at a called meeting Tuesday. It followed a 15 acre fire Monday near Alto. It threatened several structures. County Judge Chris Davis said the ban could be lifted before 90 days, but they would need a lot of rain for that to happen. Among the area counties that were already under burn bans were Gregg, Rusk, Henderson, Harrison and Van Zandt.