FROM THE DESK OF

Wayne McDaniel
HARDIN COUNTY JUDGE

July 20, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(409) 246-5120

HARDIN COUNTY JUDGE ISSUES DECLARATION OF DISASTER

AND ORDER RESTRICTING OUTDOOR BURNING EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

In consultation with the Hardin County Office of Emergency Management, Texas A&M Forest
Service, and National Weather Service – Lake Charles, and after having received formal requests
from nearly every Fire Chief throughout Hardin County, I am issuing a Declaration of Disaster due
to severe drought conditions which exist throughout Hardin County and are expected to continue
into August. This Declaration also includes an Order Restricting Outdoor Burning, effective
immediately.

Drought conditions in Hardin County have existed for the past few months. Rainfall received just
prior to the Independence lowered our KBDI (Keetch-Byram Drought Index) average enough to
delay this action. However, with little to no rainfall since then, and due to the excessive heat over
the past week, drought conditions have continued to deteriorate and there is no relief in sight.

The Texas A&M Forest Service’s most recent Fire Potential Update to Hardin County states,
“Continuing hot and dry conditions will continue to dry out surface fuels and increase the fire
danger.” I received the following update from the NWS – Lake Charles Meteorologist In Charge
late last night, “In the past 30 days, Hardin County has seen 2 to 5 inches of rain, which is 50% to
75% of normal. However, the trend has been getting drier. In the past 7 days, Hardin County has
seen less than a tenth of an inch of rain which is only 5-10% of normal. This drier trend looks to
hold into early August.”

This Declaration of Disaster and Order Restricting Outdoor Burning will continue until rescinded,
and under no circumstance will it continue for more than seven (7) days unless renewed or
continued by the Hardin County Commissioners Court on July 26, 2022.

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300 West Monroe Street | Kountze, Texas 77625 | (409) 246-5120

Wayne.McDaniel@Co.Hardin.TX.US
STATE OF TEXAS §

COUNTY OF HARDIN §

DECLARATION OF DISASTER
AND
ORDER RESTRICTING OUTDOOR BURNING
WHEREAS, on the 20TH day of July, 2022, Hardin County, Texas, is currently experiencing severe
drought conditions and is under an Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service; and
WHEREAS, the current drought, heat, and weather conditions pose an imminent threat of large
and dangerous wildfires with the potential to spread quickly, endanger lives, and cause large
scale property damage, creating a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor
burning; and
WHEREAS, upon analysis of information relative to the existence and continuance of drought
conditions in Hardin County provided by the National Weather Service - Lake Charles, Texas
A&M Forest Service Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), and our trusted local weather
authorities, the current drought conditions are forecasted to continue, and deteriorate, for the
foreseeable future; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Disaster Act of 1975 (Texas Government Code: Title 4. Executive Branch;
Subtitle B. Law Enforcement and Public Protection; Chapter 418. Emergency Management.
Section 418.108) authorizes the County Judge to declare a local state of disaster within the
county; and
WHEREAS, a local disaster declaration issued by the Hardin County Judge may not be continued
or renewed for a period of more than seven (7) days except with the consent of the Hardin
County Commissioners Court; and
WHEREAS, the enormity of potential damage and the rapidity with which such a wildfire could
intensify to major proportions constitutes an imminent threat of disaster, as was experienced in
Hardin County during the Wildfires of 2011; and
WHEREAS, declaration of such disaster authorizes the imposition of controls on activities which
increase the likelihood of wildfires during extremely high temperatures and droughts; and
 DECLARATION OF DISASTER
AND
ORDER RESTRICTING OUTDOOR BURNING

WHEREAS, such controls, once implemented, have the potential of protecting lives and
property by mitigating the threat of dangerous fires and saving lives and property; and
WHEREAS, a majority of Fire Chiefs throughout Hardin County have identified a need for such
controls, and have made formal request for same through the Hardin County Office of
Emergency Management.
BE IT THEREFORE PROCLAIMED that I, Wayne McDaniel, County Judge of Hardin County, Texas,
do hereby declare a local state of disaster in the unincorporated areas of Hardin County due to
the severe drought conditions that exist and are forecasted to worsen; and
BE IT ALSO PROCLAIMED that this declaration of local state of disaster will continue until
rescinded, and under no circumstance will this declaration continue for more than seven (7)
days unless renewed or continued by the Hardin County Commissioners Court in accordance
with Texas Government Code § 418.108(b); and
BE IT ALSO PROCLAIMED this declaration of local state of disaster hereby activates the Hardin
County Emergency Management Plan.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all outdoor burning of trash, brush, trees, debris or open campfires
is prohibited in all unincorporated areas of Hardin County.
Outdoor burning activity related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality is not prohibited.
Outdoor burning of vegetative material when such burning is performed in accordance with a
prescribed plan which addresses the useful nature of such activity, such as natural resource
management as described by the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service is not prohibited
In accordance with Section 352.081(h) of the Local Government Code, a VIOLATION OF THIS
ORDER IS A CLASS C MISDEMEANOR, PUNISHABLE BY A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $500.00

This Proclamation shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance, shall be promptly
publicized, and filed with the Hardin County Clerk.

ORDERED this 20TH Day of July 2022.

Wayne McDaniel, County Judge

Hardin County, Texas

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