By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County is now in a burn ban.

At Monday evening’s Ellis County Commission meeting, the commission voted to declare state of local disaster, banning all outside burning — effective immediately.

The commission also approved a resolution creating an indefinite burn ban.

The ban can only be lifted by Ellis County Rural Fire Director Dick Klaus and the Ellis County Commission.

Following the Ellis County Commission meeting, County Emergency Manager Bill Ring appeared at the Ellis City Council meeting to inform them of the burn ban, and to thank Ellis volunteer firefighters for their help during a string of 18 suspicious fires the past two weeks:

Ring clarified to Ellis Police Chief Taft Yates that use of barbecue grills is still permitted.

Read the Ellis County burn ban.

For more on Monday’s meeting, check Hays Post.