Cedar Park Grilling Ban Alerts To Dangerous Drought-Like Conditions

CEDAR PARK, TX — Grilling is as much a part of summer as locusts, fireflies and dips in the pool. But in Cedar Park, grilling is now banned in light of a county-wide burn ban prompted by the blistering Texas heat that's transformed some areas to veritable tinderboxes.

In mid-July, city officials posted a succinct, yet definitive, post on the municipal website. "Park Grills Closed," read the headline. "As part of a county-wide burn ban, grills at city parks are currently closed."

That's it. Nothing more was said. But it's pretty clear in its brevity, with the streak of triple-digit heat across Central Texas serving as the inferred exclamation point.

This kind of heat we've been experiencing is a perfect trigger for grass fires and sets the stage for drought. An errant ember from a grill could turn into a major conflagration, fueled by the intensity of the natural heat. In the wide open spaces of Texas, a single spark can turn into a raging inferno with stunning quickness.

One needn't go far to witness the impact of the high temperatures. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a pair of pockets of Central Texas real estate are currently under severe drought conditions. One of those patches is southwest of Austin, primarily in Comal County but touching the edges of Hays County, and the other in Bastrop County abutting the Travis County line.

In addition to those areas deemed as being under "severe drought" conditions, several more in the region are categorized by "abnormally dry" by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

On Thursday, firefighters contained a 45-acre brush fire east of Manor. The fire was so pervasive, water-bearing helicopters were dispatched to help douse the flames. The fire off Old Highway 20 was finally extinguished on Thursday after much effort by fire crews, including members of the Austin Fire Department.

The National Weather Service offers guidelines on how to respond to drought conditions covering a number of fronts:

Be Green

• Check plumbing for leaks and promptly repair leaks found.
• When you update appliances in your home or office, select ones that are more energy and water efficient.
• Replace toilets, shower heads, faucets, etc., with low-flow versions.

Conserve water

• Take shorter showers.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
• Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
• When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
• Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

• Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
• Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a fire.
• Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials

• If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them!
• Follow burn bans.

>>> Image via Shutterstock