KARNES CITY – Karnes County Commisioners Court voted to lift the current burn ban during a special meeting of Commissioners Court Monday morning.

The vote passed on a 3-0 vote with Commissioners Pete Jauer, James Rosales and Tracey Schendel voting in favor.

County Judge Barbara Shaw and County Commissioner Carl Hummel were not present.

Commissioner Jauer placed the item on the agenda for consideration.

“I have had about ten requests from people asking when we are going to lift the burn ban,” Jauer said. “I know there is a lot of stuff out there that needs to be burned.”

“We know fire danger is not over,” I feel like we should lift the burn ban.”

Before voting, Jauer read parts of letters from Ag Extension Agent J.D. Folbre and Emergency Response Crisis Management Coordinator Shelby Dupnik, both of which recommended against lifting the burn ban.

The burn ban was lifted with the stipulation that local residents must notify the sheriff’s office and fire department when conducting controlled burns.