Because of the recent rain, Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee lifted the county's burn ban during the 2 p.m. hour on Sept. 14.
"This is a good opportunity for people who have brush accumulated that is posing a wildfire risk to burn it," Lee said.
Officials measure moisture in the first 8 inches of the soil throughout the county and calculate drought conditions using the Keetch-Byram Drought Index. On the index, zero represents saturation and 800 represents a total lack of moisture.
Lisa Block, Travis County Emergency Services spokeswoman, said that the county average was 525 on Sept. 14.
Lee noted that the county looks at the drought index, weather forecasts and moisture levels when considering whether to have a burn ban.
The Travis County Commissioners Court will discuss the need for a ban on outdoor burning in the uncorporated areas of the county at its Sept. 18 meeting, he said. The ban had been set to expire on Oct. 3.
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