Emergency manager warns of increased wildfire risk; commissioners say burn ban possible next week

Jason Ware, Brazos County emergency management coordinator, told the commissioners court that the county responded to about seven grass fires over the weekend that together burned approximately 89 acres. He said many fires were from unattended control burns and that several structures were threatened but local fire departments contained the incidents.

Ware said county drought indicators vary by precinct, with parts of Precinct 2 showing much drier conditions (KBDI values around 600) while county average remained lower. He reported a red‑flag warning for the afternoon with expected winds of 25–30 mph and gusts up to 40–45 mph, and recommended residents avoid burning. Ware said three of four local fire chiefs favor a burn ban and that he would continue discussions with chiefs and brief the court next week; the court acknowledged the report and said a burn‑ban agenda item could appear if dry conditions persist.

Why it matters: Elevated fire danger and high winds increase the risk that small control burns or debris burns will escape and threaten homes and infrastructure. A countywide burn ban would change permitted outdoor burning and enforcement for residents and land managers.

What the court did: The report was informational. Commissioners signaled willingness to place a burn‑ban item on a future agenda if conditions do not improve.

Ending: Ware said he would monitor conditions and coordinate with fire chiefs and would return with an update at the next meeting; the court noted the U.S. Drought Monitor shows moderate drought in parts of the county.