Hardin County extends outdoor burning restriction for 30 days amid extreme drought

Hardin County Commissioners Court voted Oct. 21 to extend a declaration of disaster and the county's outdoor burning restriction for 30 days because of ongoing extreme drought conditions.

County Judge opened a special meeting to consider a request from the county judge’s office to continue a burn ban and related disaster declaration issued Oct. 14, 2025. Mr. Tucker, a county staff member presenting drought and fire-risk data, told the court the county’s drought index readings and fire-danger forecasts remain high and that recent local fire-response data show continued risk.

"This demonstrates the burn ban has been effective in preventing the fire spread and reducing emergency response demands," Mr. Tucker said, summarizing post-ban fire data. He told the court that the week before the Oct. 14 declaration, county fire departments responded to about 17 brush or out-of-control fires, and that since the burn ban began there were 18 reported burn-ban violations but no new brush or out-of-control fires.

Commissioner Kirkendall moved to continue the declaration and burn ban for 30 days; Commissioner Kucher seconded the motion. The court voted in favor, with no recorded opposition, and the motion passed. The court said it will revisit the order at its regular meeting on Nov. 14, 2025, and will rescind the ban earlier if significant rainfall reduces the fire risk.

The presenters and county officials said they will continue to monitor conditions in coordination with the Texas A&M Forest Service and provide regular updates. Mr. Tucker said forecasts showed no significant rainfall in the immediate outlook and warned that fire danger could rise again without precipitation.

The court convened the special meeting solely to consider the burn-ban extension and adjourned after the vote.