Caldwell County Commissioners voted to approve a countywide burn ban on March 11 at their regular meeting.

The move was made at the recommendation of Caldwell County Chief Emergency Management Coordinator Hector Rangel after a week of high winds, red flag warnings and near critical fire weather conditions.

Rangel noted that high winds and fire weather conditions were in the forecast later in the week, explaining that sustained high winds would continue to dry out the grass, increasing wildfire risk.

The public is asked to avoid outdoor burning at this time.