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Travis County imposes temporary outdoor burn ban through Sept. 29 amid extreme heat
Summary
The Commissioners Court unanimously approved a countywide outdoor burn ban after the fire marshal warned of rapidly drying fuels and recent fires started by controlled burns; the ban takes effect immediately and is scheduled for reevaluation Sept. 29.
County Judge Andy Brown and the Commissioners Court voted unanimously on Aug. 11 to impose an outdoor burning ban across unincorporated Travis County, citing extreme heat and recent fires that began from controlled burns.
Fire Marshal Gary told the court that forecasted temperatures in the 100‑degree range and little rain have left grass and other “flashy fuels” especially receptive to ignition. “Iam going to recommend today to court to go ahead and, put a burn ban in place for Travis County, effective until September 29,” Gary said during the presentation. Commissioners acted on that recommendation: Commissioner Shea moved the measure and Commissioner Morales seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
Judge Brown directed county staff to work with Hector’s group and the county communications team to issue notifications to the public and first‑responder partners. The court set Sept. 29 as the date to reevaluate whether the ban should be continued, expanded or lifted.
The decision follows reports of at least two recent fires — a roughly 300‑acre fire reportedly originating from a controlled burn and a six‑acre fire in western Travis County — that officials said demonstrated how quickly grass fires can move under current conditions. The fire marshal told the court that the county will continue to monitor fuel moisture and weather forecasts and will update the court ahead of the reevaluation date.
