With no significant rainfall forecasted for the area, and an incoming cold front expected to bring high winds and low humidity, the Bastrop County Commissioners Court extended the burn ban through Oct. 28. The county has been under a burn ban since Aug. 26.

Who is affected?

Residents living within unincorporated areas of the county are prohibited from any outdoor burning until the order is lifted.

What you need to know

According to the burn ban order, enforcement for outdoor fires includes:
  • Response from the fire department to extinguish the fire
  • An investigation into the nature of the fire, which can result in a citation for violating the burn ban
  • A fine of up to $500


How we got here

As of Oct. 14, Bastrop County was at a Keetch-Byram Drought Index, or KBDI, of 685, according to Water Data for Texas.

The Texas A&M Forest Service website explains that this level indicates a high potential for wildfires with extreme intensity.

As stated in the Aug. 26 Bastrop County commissioners agenda packet, the KBDI average for the county jumped from 338 to 512 from Aug. 7-20, which initiated the original burn ban. Since then, the county has not received any significant rainfall.


The KBDI ranges between 0-800, with anything over 400 indicating a high wildfire potential.
Hillary Long, assistant emergency management coordinator, said during the Oct. 15 commissioners meeting that the daily average for Bastrop County in October is 685, with a minimum of 621 and a maximum of 725.

For reference, the KBDI on Sept. 4, 2011, the day the Bastrop County Complex Fire ignited, was 789.

What else?

Those with questions can reach out to James Altgelt, Bastrop County emergency management coordinator, at 512-581-4022.


A list of what residents can and cannot do while a burn ban is in place can be found on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality website.