City temporarily bans fire, smoking in parks, greenbelts

If your Easter weekend plans involve cooking out at an Austin public park, think again.

The Parks and Recreation Department has temporarily banned smoking and the building of fires in city parks and greenbelts because of dangerously dry conditions, parks department spokesman Victor Ovalle said.

That includes using wood or charcoal for barbecue pits and grilling, which many park patrons are accustomed to firing up at weekend gatherings. Propane stoves, however, will be allowed in designated picnic areas, Ovalle said.

Ovalle said he wasn't sure how long the restrictions will remain in effect.

"It's going to go on as long as the conditions require it," he said.

"The situation is ripe right now for wildfires to happen," he said.

Park police and rangers will patrol city parks and greenbelts and will ask people violating the ban to stop, he said. If they don't, the officers may issue citations or a criminal trespass warning, Ovalle said.

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