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High Fire Danger For Central Texas; Burn Ban Issued For Travis, Hays Counties


A Red Flag Warning is in effect for Travis County as gusty winds are expected to hit the area late Tuesday afternoon and linger until early Wednesday.

A burn ban was issued for Travis and Hays counties Tuesday morning.

"Travis County is facing a high-fire hazard," said Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee. "Conditions are so dry that residents should pay particular attention to red flag warnings, which are issued by the National Weather Service and indicate periods of high winds, low humidity and high-fire danger."

On Monday, the drought index was 497 and expected to increase. Hays County Fire Marshal Mark Chambers noted that an index approaching 575 is one of the indicators that a burn ban is necessary, but it is only part of the wildfire equation.

"Even with damp ground, winds and decreased humidity will quickly dry the outside of already dead grasses and other fuels, making them extremely combustible," Chambers said. "The drought index doesn’t figure in those types of conditions," he said.

To get the latest weather forecast, go to http://www.keyetv.com/weather/.