Walker County Issues 90 Day Burn Ban Amid Dry Conditions
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — The Walker County Commissioners Court has enacted a countywide burn ban for all unincorporated areas of Walker County, citing heightened wildfire risk due to ongoing dry weather. The order was effective at 10:00 a.m., prohibits most forms of outdoor burning for 90 days unless lifted earlier by court order.
Under the order, residents are forbidden to ignite or cause ignition of any combustible or vegetative material outside an enclosure designed to contain all flames and sparks. Violations may result in a Class C misdemeanor and fines of up to $500.
Fire departments are directed to respond immediately to suspected outdoor burning, and peace officers may issue citations for Violation of Burn Ban Order upon investigation.
The ban was enacted under Section 352.081 of the Texas Local Government Code, which authorizes county commissioners courts to restrict outdoor burning when conditions create a public safety hazard. The court determined that current circumstances in Walker County meet that threshold.
Certain activities remain permitted under the order:
- Welding‑related burning, if not malicious or intentional.
- Prescribed burns conducted by federal or state agencies, or institutions of higher education for research or training.
- Certified burn managers operating under Texas Department of Agriculture or Natural Resources Code Ch. 153.
- Lawful burning permitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
A previously proposed exemption allowing household garbage burning in screened barrels was struck through and not included in the final order.
The burn ban will remain in effect for ninety (90) days, expiring automatically unless the Commissioners Court determines earlier that conditions no longer pose a wildfire hazard.
