State Parks, Forest Lift Campfire Restrictions
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
HOUSTON COUNTY - Hunters or campers who’ve enjoy cooking or getting cozy next to an open fire can now breathe in the aromas, as area parks are lifting burn bans.
Following suit of a few Texas counties ending their bans, the U.S. Forest Service is also lifting its restrictions.
In a press release, Acting Forest Supervisor JaSal Morris said campfires in the Angelina, Sabine, Davy Crockett and Sam Houston National Forests are now allowed in conjunction with surrounding counties now allowing people to burn.
“With drought conditions lessened with recent rains, I am lifting the restrictions in place since summer,” Morris said. “However, visitors to the forests should continue to be extremely careful with all fires as the dead brush and dry grass are a potential tinderbox. We have seen first-hand the devastation caused by wildfires across Texas.”
The Texas Parks and Wildlife also issued a press release Thursday stating it will again allow campfires and cooking.
According to the TPW, about two-thirds of Texas’s state parks reported no restrictions last week.
“I believe that burn bans and restricted open fires have been contributing factors to a drop in camping activity in state parks this fall,” said Brent Leisure,Texas state parks director. “I continue to encourage our park superintendents to reach out to county judges and commissioners where burn bans exist to request exemptions or modifications, when appropriate and reasonable.”
The TPW reminded visitors most of the parks still under the ban allow cooking on propane and electric stoves, and some will still permit charcoal grilling.
According to the Texas Forest Service and Texas A&M University, 144 of Texas’s 254 counties were under a ban as of Friday- with the majority located in the northern, southern and western parts of the state. All of the counties in the Deep East Texas region have lifted their bans.
Those who plan on traveling outside of East Texas can visit the TPWD’s website at www.texasstateparks.org or call 512-389-8900 to find out which state parks they intend to visit are still under outdoor fire restrictions.
