By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

In an attempt to clear up questions surrounding the countywide burn ban, Ellis County Commissioners in a special meeting Monday added an amendment to the resolution outlining what sorts of burning are prohibited.

The amendment says all outdoor burning is banned, including trash barrels, decorative fire chimneys, fields and any other form of open burning.

County Counselor Bill Jeter said the amendment provides more reference to the public as to what activities are prohibited, particularly because it is a “criminal violation.”

That exact wording was in the proclamation presented to the commission at last Monday’s commission meeting by Emergency Manager Bill Ring, but it was not in the resolution approved at the meeting by the commission.

Barbequing or cooking on a grill is allowed.

The Ellis County burn ban will remain in effect until both Rural Fire Director Dick Klaus and the commission deem conditions have improved.