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Kendall County declares 90‑day burn ban as drought and spot fires rise
Summary
Kendall County Commissioners Court on Oct. 14 adopted a 90‑day countywide outdoor burn ban beginning at midnight due to worsening vegetation‑based fire risk and rising drought indices. Emergency management cited the KBDI at 602 and said there is no rain in the forecast; the order passed 5–0.
Kendall County Commissioners Court adopted an order on Oct. 14 prohibiting outdoor burning across the unincorporated county for up to 90 days, beginning at midnight, saying drought conditions and an increase in small spot fires have created a public‑safety hazard.
Brady, the county’s emergency management representative, told the court the Keetch‑Byram Drought Index (KBDI) had moved into the severe category and reported: "We're now in a severe, category. As of today, we sit at 602." He said forecasts show no substantial rain in the near term, and recommended the court adopt the 90‑day order unless significant precipitation intervenes.
County Judge moved to adopt Order O‑2025‑1014‑1 and Commissioner Wiesgen seconded. After brief discussion, the court called the roll; the motion carried 5–0. Brady clarified to the court that the burn ban itself "does not affect the sale of fireworks" at the retail level automatically, but said he would return before the holiday‑season sales window if conditions near that period warranted targeted restrictions on specific types of fireworks.
The order will remain in effect unless lifted by the court earlier if meaningful rainfall occurs. Enforcement details and penalties are governed by the text of the adopted order and existing county enforcement mechanisms.
