Driving along the highways around here, one can’t help but notice the big signs reminding motorists of the extreme fire danger throughout the state. There hasn’t been any significant rain, it’s unseasonably hot and very windy. What surprised me though was the wording on the electronic signs along Mopac and I-35 in Austin:
Arson/Burn Ban in Effect
Does this mean that under normal conditions there is no ban on arson? If so, it’s a bit disappointing to know that all those times I wanted to burn down someone’s house, torch a restaurant for providing lousy service, or just ignite a large swath of woodland to keep warm, my hand was stayed by the belief that arson was always banned. Silly me. I can’t wait until it rains again.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
I was wondering about those signs myself…
Good. It’s not just me then.
Hey James – I included this in this week’s best of the Austin blogs post at Austinist.
Thanks.