Liberty County declares immediate burn ban as drought-index readings surge

The Liberty County Commissioners Court voted unanimously on Sept. 30, 2024, to impose a countywide burn ban effective immediately after drought-index readings exceeded the local threshold, the court’s presiding official said.

At a special-called emergency meeting that began at 3:02 p.m., the presiding official said readings on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) “have exceeded 600” in parts of the county and reached “as high as 800” in some areas, and added that the county typically calls a burn ban when KBDI approaches 600. The official said there was no rain in the forecast for the near term.

The presiding official requested the court declare a burn ban “from this day forward or until a determination is made by the Texas A&M Forest Service or the Liberty County Commissioners Court that drought conditions no longer exist.” A motion to adopt the burn ban was made by Greg and seconded by Bruce; the presiding official, Greg and Bruce voted in favor, Commissioner Wilson was noted as not present, and the motion carried unanimously.

The presiding official announced the burn ban was in effect as of 3:04 p.m. and said he would issue the formal order and have it posted on the county’s website.

The court then moved to adjourn. The meeting ended shortly after the burn-ban vote.

What the action does and next steps The court’s declaration imposes a countywide ban on open burning until the Texas A&M Forest Service or the commissioners determine drought conditions have eased. The county official said staff will post the formal order on the Liberty County website; the order’s specific prohibitions, penalties or enforcement mechanisms were not specified at the meeting.

Context The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is a standard measure used by fire and forestry officials to estimate fire potential based on soil moisture and other factors; local practice cited by the court is to call a burn ban when KBDI approaches roughly 600. The court relied on recent KBDI readings and a lack of near-term rain to justify the emergency action.

Who said what The meeting transcript records a single presiding official making the public statements and running the vote; the names Greg and Bruce were recorded as mover and seconder for the motion to adopt the burn ban. Commissioner Wilson was recorded as not present.

For the public Residents and landowners in Liberty County should assume open burning is prohibited under the court’s order until that order is lifted or revised. The county indicated it will post the formal text of the burn-ban order on the Liberty County website.