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Van Zandt County imposes 30-day burn ban as fire marshal warns of extreme dryness
Summary
Citing unusually dry vegetation and multiple recent wildfire responses, Van Zandt County adopted a 30-day countywide burn ban with site-specific agricultural exemptions and enforcement measures including a $500 minimum fine for violations.
Van Zandt County commissioners voted on Feb. 11 to adopt a countywide burn ban for 30 days after the county fire marshal recommended the measure, citing unseasonably dry conditions and rapid fire spread even from controlled burns.
The fire marshal told the court that high winter temperatures and low rainfall had left vegetation effectively dormant and exceptionally flammable, and that even controlled burns were moving faster than expected. "Bottom line up front is, yes, I am recommending a county wide burn ban for the next 30 days," the marshal said.
Commissioners clarified that agricultural or other exemptions are possible but are site specific. Exemption requests must be coordinated with the precinct commissioner and local volunteer fire departments; the marshal said each exemption requires an evaluation, additional safeguards such as water staging and pre-planned firefighting support, and documentation on the marshal's records. The marshal said one exemption had been issued recently in coordination with a precinct commissioner and that those requests involved extra steps such as tilling perimeter lines and arranging water resources.
Enforcement measures were explained: the fire marshal confirmed he is issuing citations for burning during a ban without authorization and said the minimum penalty for a first violation is a $500 special misdemeanor fine. Commissioners discussed timing for declaring the ban and whether to wait for forecasted rain; the court approved a motion to adopt the 30‑day ban and passed it by voice vote.
The court also discussed a possible program of site‑specific review and the need to involve volunteer fire departments in any exemption response plan. Commissioners asked staff to document exemption decisions and to prepare guidance for landowners and producers on how to request a permitted controlled burn during the ban period.
The burn ban and associated procedures are effective immediately; commissioners asked staff to circulate the ban and exemption procedure to precinct offices and volunteer departments.
