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Fannin, Red River Counties Ban Open Burning

U.S. Drought Monitor
U.S. Drought Monitor
Dry conditions are worsening across Texas.

The number of burn bans in Northeast Texas increased to three Tuesday.

Red River and Fannin counties joined Lamar County in outlawing  open-fire burning for at least the next week. Grills and barbecues are still okay, but burning of leaves or brush is off limits through the weekend.

The ban comes on the heels of the latest drought report from the Texas Water Development Board. That report shows spreading and worsening drought conditions through 20 percent of the state. That’s up from 15 percent of the state last week. Forty percent of the state is classified as abnormally dry.

Here in Northeast Texas, drought conditions in Fannin, Lamar, red River, and parts of Hunt and Delta counties have been classified as severe. One bit of good news – the T-W-D-B says Texas’ water reserve storage is above normal. November totals show the state’s water reserves over 80 percent.

Scott Morgan has been an award-winning journalist since 2001. His work has appeared in several newspapers and magazines as well as online. He has also been an editor, freelancer, speaker, writing teacher, author, and podcaster.