The ban was put into effect because of the historic drought that was gripping southeast Texas. But with the recent rains and efforts to remove fuel for the fire, the risk isn't what it was a couple of months ago.
"This year's drought has been especially devastating to our city," said Mayor Annise Parker in a press release issued by the city Monday. "Since the summer, we've been working to remove fire fuel sources in our parks. As a result of this work and the increased rainfall we've been experiencing, the fire risk has declined."
The ban remains in effect at 12 parks because dead tree removal hasn't been completed. Those parks include Brock Park, Coolgreen Corridor/Strickland Park, Cullen Park, Cullinan/Oyster Creek Park, Hermann Park, Herman Brown Park, J.S. & L.H. Cullinan Park, Keith Wiess Park, Lake Houston Wilderness Park, Memorial Park, Tidwell Park and West 11th Street Park
Though the temporary ban on grilling and smoking is being lifted in most Houston parks, citizens are advised to continue to be cautious when using anything that could ignite fire.
