HUNT COUNTY, Texas — The Hunt County Commissioner’s Court voted Jan. 14 to extend a countywide burn ban for 90 days, citing drought conditions and increased wildfire risk.

Judge Stovall opened public testimony and introduced the item, saying he had earlier signed a seven-day order and the court needed to act to extend it. County staff member David summarized local conditions, stating, “we have dormant grasses, we have low humidity and high winds,” and told commissioners that Governor Abbott had issued a disaster declaration declaring drought conditions that included Hunt County. Staff offered to provide copies of the declaration to commissioners.

The extension was recommended by staff. After a brief procedural exchange to request the disaster declaration be emailed to commissioners, the court moved and seconded the extension and approved it by voice vote; the judge announced, “Motion carries.” The agenda did not include a roll-call vote or a detailed effective-date statement in the transcript; the court indicated the extension is a court action required to continue the burn ban.

Why it matters: drought conditions and the combination of dry fuels, low humidity and high winds increase the risk of uncontrolled fires. The burn ban restricts open burning and is intended to reduce ignition sources until risk conditions abate.

Next steps: staff said they would provide copies of the governor’s disaster declaration to commissioners and county staff. The court moved on to other agenda business after the vote.