Denton County commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 25, approved a mandatory burn ban after county officials said dry weather, heat, wind and dormant vegetation were increasing wildfire danger, putting another nearby North Texas county under outdoor-burning restrictions. Cooke County was already under its own ban, with all outdoor burning prohibited as of Aug. 10, according to the county’s official homepage.
The Denton County Commissioners Court approved the order 4-0-0, according to certified court minutes. Denton County said the order prohibits outdoor burning, limits outdoor hot work such as welding and cutting, and restricts certain combustible materials. Violations are Class C misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $500, the county said.
Denton County Judge Andy Eads also issued a local disaster declaration for wildland-fire threat effective Aug. 25, according to the county. Denton County said the ban would remain in place until drought conditions ease.
County officials tied the action to dry weather, moderate drought, high temperatures, high winds, low humidity and dead or dormant vegetation. Denton County also said wildfire frequency had increased slightly.
Dryness data showed the risk was not confined to Denton County. Texas Weather Connection’s Aug. 25 Keetch-Byram Drought Index summary listed Denton County with an average reading of 725 and Cooke County at 719, with Wise and Tarrant counties also showing dry readings. U.S. Drought Monitor county data for the same date placed all of Denton County in at least moderate drought and most of the county in severe drought.
Nearby counties were already taking similar steps. Wise County’s fire marshal page said no outdoor burning was allowed during its active ban. Tarrant County said its commissioners approved an outdoor-burning ban for unincorporated areas on Aug. 13 because of severe drought conditions.
Texas A&M Forest Service says Texas counties may impose burn bans through a county judge or commissioners court when drought conditions exist, restricting outdoor burning for public safety. Outside ban periods, Denton County normally decides each morning whether outdoor burning conditions are favorable, according to the county fire marshal’s outdoor-burning page.
The National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas office said Sunday, Aug. 30, that hot, dry weather, low humidity and wind gusts up to 25 mph would keep fire danger elevated. The office forecast a mostly hot and rain-free week for North Texas and said burn bans were in effect for almost every county in North and Central Texas.
State fire records also showed continuing wildfire activity. Texas A&M Forest Service listed Texas at Wildfire Preparedness Level 3 and said it received 11 requests for assistance on wildfires on Aug. 27. Its public incident data on Aug. 30 listed the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County and the Mud Road Fire in Hunt County as active, while the Pecan Fire in Wise County was listed as contained.
Denton County Chief Fire Marshal Brad Sebastian urged residents to clear combustible debris and vegetation away from homes, keep water hoses ready and call 911 early when they see a fire. A Denton County Sheriff’s Office public-safety alert said residents may smell smoke from ongoing fire activity and should call 911 immediately if they see visible smoke or flames, but not for smoke odor alone.
_Editor's note: Everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law._
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