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Burn ban still in effect By Philip Jankowski Fire risk increases as weather turns cooler As the temperature drops, anyone annoyed by the maintenance of their lawn generally breathes a sigh of relief. No more watering, no more mowing. But the dead grass and a dry climate add up to increased fire danger and residents should remember Williamson County is still in under a burn ban. “You’re putting more dead material on the ground that increases the fire load. There’s more fuel to burn,” Taylor Fire Department Lt. Bob Kerzee said. Even though temperatures are drifting down toward winter levels, a sub-70-degree day does not lower the level of risk for a fire. The lower temperatures have a tendency to take people’s mind off of outdoor fire safety, Kerzee said. Kerzee said inside the city people need to make sure to rake fallen leaves. Outside the city, people need to make sure grasses maintain a short height 30 feet from a house. Indoors, people looking to warm up by the fire also need to take heed of fire safety. If a fireplace has not been used since last winter, chimneys should be cleaned by a specialist, according to the U.S Fire Administration. All flammable objects and debris near a fireplace should also be removed. A mesh metal screen should always be used and glass doors should be left open. A fireplace in use should never be left unattended. If leaving the home or going to bed, make sure to fully extinguish the fire.
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