DISASTER DECLARATION MADISON COUNTY ORDER RESTRICTING OUTDOOR BURNING  WHEREAS, Madison County has not had: significant rainfall for an extended period oft time, creating hot, dry, and sometimes windy conditions, resulting in a Keetch-Byram Drought Index between 600-700; and WHEREAS, these conditions pose a threat of large, dangerous and fast moving wild land fires; WHEREAS, such fires have the potential of endangering lives and of large scale property damage; and WHEREAS, the Texas Government Code Chapter 418 gives the County. Judge the power to declare a local NOW THEREFORE, IN ACCORDANCE WITHTHE. AUTHORITY VESTED IN THE COUNTY, JUDGE BY SECTION 418.108 AND 418.014 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, I, CLARK OSBORNE, COUNTY JUDGE OF MADISON COUNTY, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH DISASTER AND DIRECT THAT ALL NECESSARY MEASURES BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AS AUTHORIZED BY THE LAWS OFT THE 1. Pursuant to Section 418.108 (b) of the Government Code, this Declaration ofa al local state of disaster shall continue for so long as: such conditions exist with the exception granted to fireworks 2. Pursuant to Section 418.108 (c) of the Government Code, this Declaration ofa al local state of disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall bei field promptly with the County 3. Pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Government Code, this Declaration of al local state of 4. The purpose of this order is the mitigation oft the hazard posed by wild land fires by curtailing the practice of outdoor burning, and prohibiting the sale or use off fireworks ini the County. BEI ITTHEREFORE ORDERED that the following emergency regulations are hereby established fora all  disaster within the county "ift the threat of disasteri is imminent",  STATE OF TEXAS BE IMPLEMENTED TOI MEET THAT DISASTER:  unless ratified and extended by the Governor of the State of Texas.  Clerk of Madison County.  disaster activates the Madison County Emergency Management Plan.  areas of Madison County, Texas, fori the duration of the Declaration;  (1) ACTIONS PROHIBITED:  (a) Allo outdoor burning of any combustible material is prohibited. Aj person violates this Order if he burns any combustible material or orders such burning by others. This Order does not prohibit cooking stoves fueled by "white gasoline" or outdoor cooking grills fueled by propane or natural gas. This Order does not prohibit outdoor cooking events that are continuously monitored or overseen by fire department personnel and equipment capable  ofe extinguishing any fire that may result from such activities.    (b) The sale and use of all fireworks.  (c) Outdoor welding is prohibited except under thet following guidelines:  1. As spotter is required fore each welder, each cutter, and each grinder and for any activity 2. A diameter around the welding area shall be a minimum of 251 feet and clear vegetation, 3. AI minimum of one (1) water pressure fire extinguisher per spotter is required and one 4. Each welding rig must have a Class B Chemical Fire Extinguisher, minimum 10 Ibs. 5. Ift the work area cannot be cleared of vegetation proper precautionary measures must  that causes or may cause a spark. ifp possible and kept wet.  spare.  Each extinguisher should be at least 2 % gallons.  bet taken.  Example: protecting brush, etc., by utilizing fire resistant tarps. 6. No welding is permitted if winds are. 20 mph or greater.  7. Prior to. ANY outdoor welding activity a phone call shalll be placed by the welder or company conducting welding operations, tot the Madison County Sheriff's Department (936-348-2755) relaying the location of the project, cell phone number for the contact  person, name of party responsible, and name of welder.  BEITA ALSO ORDERED that this Order may be enforced by any duly-commissioned peace officer and that the venue for prosecution of this Order will be the. Justice of the Peace Court, Madison County, Texas. This Declaration and Order shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance and continue for seven days unless extended by action of Commissioners Court or until the conditions requiring this Declaration and Order are over, with the exception granted to fireworks under Section 418.108 (i) of the Government Code unless ratified and extended by the Governor of the State of Texas.  DECLARED AND ORDERED THIS THE 1ST DAY OF OCTOBER, 2024.  D  Honorable Clark Osborne, Madison County. Judge  Attest:  uaseawm Adrian Lawson Madison County Clerk