Welcome to the City of Newton, TX

WHEREAS, on August 14th,2023 Governor Abbott issued a State Disaster Declaration for wildfire activity in 191 counties, including Newton County.

 

 WHEREAS, the City of Newton is currently threatened by high or extreme wildland fire hazard. This threat is caused by abundant fuel and extreme dry conditions across the State in Newton County, and; 
WHEREAS, the Keetch-Byram Drought index for City of Newton is greater than 750, and; 

WHEREAS, extraordinary measures must be taken to protect life and/or property;

NOW THEREFORE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN THE NEWTON COUNTY JUDGE BY SECTION 418.108 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, I DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH DISASTER AND DIRECT THAT ALL NECESSARY MEASURES BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AUTHORIZED BY THE LAWS OF THE SATE OF TEXAS BE IMPLEMENTED TO MEET THAT DISASTER:

 

1.That local state of disaster is hereby proclaimed for the City of Newton pursuant to section 108(a) of the Texas Government Code.

2.Pursuant to section 108(b) of the Government Code, this Declaration of a local state disaster shall continue for seven (7) days unless extended by the City Council and then for so long as such conditions exists with the exception granted to fireworks under Section

108.108 (I) of the Government Code.

3.Pursuant to section 418.108 (c) of the Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed with the City Secretary of the City of

4.Pursuant to section 108 (d) of the Government Code, the Declaration of a local state of disaster activates the City of Newton Emergency Management Plan.

5.The purpose of this order is the mitigation of the hazard posed by wildfires by curtailing the practice of outdoor burning, which purpose is to be taken into account in any enforcement based upon this order.

Be it therefore ordered that the following emergency regulations are hereby established for all unincorporated areas of the City of Newton, Texas in accordance with section 418.108 (h) (1) of the Government Code.

·   Action Prohibited:

·        A person violated this Order if they burn any combustible material outside or orders such

·        A person violated this Order if they engage in any activity outdoors, which could allow flames or sparks that could result in a fire or orders such activities by others.

·        This order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental

·   In accordance with Local government Code section 081(h), a violation of this order is a crass C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00.

 

BE IT ALSO ORDERED that this order may be enforced by any duly commissioned peace officer and that the venue for prosecution of this order will be Municipal Court, City of Newton, Texas

This declaration and Order shall take effect Immediately from and after it's issuance and continue for a period of seven (7) days unless extended by the City Council,

DECLARATION AND ORDERED THIS 21st DAY OF August 2023.

 

 

 

 

Mayor, John Pollock

 

 

City Secretary, Molly Will