Judge Kelly amends burn and dig bans ahead of total eclipse

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly has amended and clarified a limited-time burn ban and no dig order announced on Monday, ahead of the total solar eclipse that will traverse North America.

The amendment states that a countywide burn ban will be in place from midnight on Saturday, until noon on Wednesday, April 10. The burn ban prohibits open flames, sparks, or embers and makes it unlawful to burn brush piles, prescribed burns, and other agricultural burning practices. However, supervised, outdoor cooking areas or fire pits are exempted from this ban.

The no dig order, which is effective for the same time period, prohibits all underground trenching and boring construction operations along or in highway rights of way and should be suspended during that time frame. However, residential construction, water well drilling, excavation of holes for fence post construction, septic system construction or service, or ranch operations are exempted from this order if utility locations have been acquired through the Texas 811 system.

Kerr County, located in the direct line of the total solar eclipse, is expected to experience a significant increase in population. This, along with the resulting traffic congestion, strain on first responders, local medical providers, food and fuel supplies, and infrastructure, could pose a threat to the safety of residents.

To prevent this, an initial disaster declaration was made, authorizing the county to take necessary actions to promote life safety and critical infrastructure protection. This includes the burn ban and no dig measure signed into effect by Judge Kelly to protect the communications infrastructure during the eclipse event.