No amendments were made to Brown County’s burn ban during Monday morning’s meeting of the Brown County Commissioners Court, but extreme caution was advised due to the recent rash of wildfires.

“We have a burn ban in effect, it’s not a complete burn ban meaning you’re still allowed to do household burning outside the city limits,” Brown County Judge Paul Lilly said in an interview after the meeting. “What I can’t stress enough is if you’re going to burn outdoors it has to be in a fire proof barrel and has to have a cover over it and please be extremely careful. We’ve had a couple of grass fires started accidentally from welding. I understand that’s a livelihood, we’re not telling anyone to stop that, but we’re just asking to please be extra careful. It is an extremely dangerous situation with the weather conditions the way they are, so we ask everyone to practice extreme caution.”

Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator Darrell Johnston spoke about the recent grass fires in the area.

“The one out on County Road 192, that gave us lots of fits,” Johnston said. “It started as they were jumping off a tractor and some wires shorted. We had some flare ups that carried over the next couple of days. The 205 fire, it was mostly in Coleman County so they’re investigating it.

“The fires in McCulloch County that threatened to cut across the county line were both started by welders. There’s some other fires they’re looking into. (Fire marshal) Buddy Preston has been on vacation but he’s back and has started looking into the other fires starting this morning.”

Brown County Sheriff Vance Hill added, “There’s been a few incidents where my deputies have responded where they’re burning household trash. It’s in a burn barrel and they have it covered but we still feel like there’s a lot of danger with the wind and low humidity.”

After discussion, the Commissioners Court voted to keep the burn ban intact as is with no amendments, just urging the use of extreme caution. Those who do burn trash in a barrel with a lid are encouraged to monitor the fire closely with a water hose nearby.

Lisa Dick with the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department addressed the COVID-19 situation within the county, providing numbers through Friday, July 17 which include 2,906 tested, 2,519 negative results, 273 positive results, 144 recoveries and 13 deaths. As of Friday there were 116 active cases with one person hospitalized.

Asked about wearing a mask as a deterrent, Dick stated, “That is the main thing. I know sometimes that we get the idea that it’s safe now because there’s not an official stay at home order. We’re trusting people to be responsible to help us minimize the effect this has on our community. Minimize the trips to the grocery store, minimize the number of times you have to be out, and continue to use social distancing in addition to wearing a mask.”

Mobile COVID-19 testing will take place in the Coggin Intermediate School gym parking lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each of the next four Wednesdays – July 22, July 29, Aug. 5 and Aug. 12.

“You should register in advance,” Dick said. “The last time a lot of people didn’t register in advance and there were significantly long lines.”

For questions regarding mobile testing scheduling contact City of Brownwood Fire Chief Eric Hicks at 325-800-9794.

Also during Monday’s meeting:

* Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the hiring of two new jailers at a salary of $32,000 per year – John Salazar to replace Robert Clark and Cody Huseman to replace Janet Roberts. The salaries will remain the same as their predecessors.

* Hill reported there were 159 inmates in the Brown County Jail and none had tested positive for COVID-19.

“We’re doing all we can to fight it, we’re being real cautious,” Hill said. “We had one part-time employee who was positive and one deputy who was positive and both of them are on the road to recovery right now.”

* Commissioners unanimously approved the reappointment of Shane Britton to the Board of Trustees for the Center for Life Resources.

“I know it’s a passion of his and he likes serving on that board,” Lilly said of Britton, who was not in attendance at the meeting.

* The Commissioners Court recognized the work of Matt Krischke, Brown County IT Director, who received a letter of commendation for exemplary service from 35th District Court Judge Steve Ellis.