City of Austin announces that burning permits will not be issued within the city due to COVID-19 pandemic

The City of Austin announced Friday that due to COVID-19, burning permits will not be issued within the city.

Any violations for burning within the City of Austin when a permit is required will result in citations being issued. Recreational fires are allowed with unpainted and untreated wood, coal or charcoal and must not be within 25 feet of a structure or any combustible materials.

Fires contained within an approved appliance need to maintain a 15 foot separation from combustible materials or structures. A 55-gallon drum is not an approved appliance.

Fire extinguisher, buckets of sand or water, shovels or garden hoses should be readily available. The city urges that recreational fires should be constantly attended by people who know the use of fire extinguishing equipment and should be supervised until fully extinguished.

The city reminds everyone to remember to follow social distancing when conducting recreational fires.

As the situation with COVID-19 evolves, there may be updates made. Watch your local news or check the City of Austin Facebook page for those updates.

By Jason Brandt – AM 1480 KAUS