Citizen Portal
Sign In

Jim Wells County imposes 90-day burn ban after drought-index readings rise

5767205 · September 13, 2025

Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts

Subscribe
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

County emergency management recommended a 90-day burn ban after Keetch-Byram drought-index readings exceeded the county threshold; commissioners approved the ban with provisions for early lifting if significant rain occurs.

Jim Wells County commissioners on Sept. 12 voted to implement a 90-day countywide burn ban after the county’s emergency management reported drought-index values above the county threshold.

Lance Brown, Jim Wells County Emergency Management, told the court the Keetch-Byram Drought Index readings had risen to 618 as of Sept. 10, exceeding the county threshold of 500. He recommended a 90-day burn ban and told the court it could be lifted earlier if significant rainfall occurred.

Commissioners approved the motion without roll-call detail recorded in the minutes. During the meeting a county official requested the burn-ban order include language allowing the county judge to lift the ban immediately if weather conditions improve — a request Brown said staff would incorporate.

Ending: The burn ban becomes effective immediately and county staff said they will ensure the order includes an administrative clause allowing the judge to lift the ban if conditions improve.