Austin (KXAN) — As central Texas goes into recovery mode from last week’s ice storm, many homes have been littered with fallen trees, branches, and discarded branches. But before you pick up a chainsaw and start removing stumps yourself, government environmentalists stressed the importance of being safe and being patient in the process.

“Many municipalities are going to pass existing laws against open burning within the city. So you really need to find out what your local laws are and make sure you follow them,” he said.

In addition to citizens, counties also impose bans on burning during major fires. Currently, 82 counties in the state have adopted some form of burn ban. At the local level, residents of Travis, Williamson, and Hayes counties can burn wood as needed.

However, that doesn’t mean you can install it and forget it, Flock said; ultimately, any resident burning tree debris on their property is responsible for watching the fire, as well as for any damage caused.

“You are responsible for the fires you start, and you certainly don’t want them to start a forest fire or to blow coals into the next house at night, into the next house or something like that,” Flock said. “So if you’re on fire, make sure you keep it small enough, it’s controlled at all times, and that you have water nearby to put it out if needed.”

On Sunday morning, Austin-Travis County ambulance crews and Austin fire brigades responded to a fire outbreak in north Austin after a man poured gasoline to burn a stump. Gasoline is never a safe option, Flock said, citing its high volatility.

“It’s very volatile – not only the liquid itself, but the gases released from gasoline can ignite it,” he said. “Therefore, it is generally not recommended to use gasoline to start a fire.”

In the aftermath of the storm, several cities in the Austin area launched expanded collection and planting options for bushes, given the large number of downed trees. On Tuesday, Travis County Commissioners gave the green light to their own garbage collection operations as some people living in unincorporated parts of the county struggle with bush removal.

For those looking to take matters into their own hands, Floquet also recommended composting as an affordable option. In smaller quantities, residents can cut branches and leave them to rot in place, he said.

He added that if residents are dealing with larger fallen branches, they can be cut up and stored for later use, such as firewood for home fireplaces or barbecue grills.

Fallen limbs must be cleaned up to avoid future risk to wildlife. However, Floquet emphasized the importance of knowing your own limits when it comes to scavenging and avoiding overexerting yourself in the process.

“Never exceed the level of skill or comfort you have. Dealing with trees can be very dangerous, especially if your limbs are still hanging on the tree,” he said. “If you don’t have the funds to take care of it yourself, ask a certified arborist for help.”