The burn ban will remain in effect until midnight Jan. 23, according to Bastrop County officials.
The details
Bastrop County cited several factors that spurred the disaster declaration, including:
- A lack of rainfall for an extended period of time
- Dry conditions posing a risk of large, dangerous and fast-moving wildfires
- Meteorologists not forecasting a change in the dry conditions in the near future
The emergency order prohibiting outdoor burning comes weeks after the last burn ban expired on Dec. 23.
“The purpose of this order is the mitigation of the public safety hazard posed by wildfires during the current dry weather conditions by curtailing the practice of outdoor burning,” the emergency order, signed by Bastrop County Judge Gregory Klaus, states.
Bastrop County outlined the following enforcement measures if there is an outdoor fire:
- Fire departments responding to a scene to contain and extinguish the fire
- A peace officer being sent to the scene to investigate the nature of the fire
- A fine up to $500 if an individual knowingly violates the emergency order
Also of note
All of Bastrop County was still experiencing drought conditions as of Jan. 13, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“The latest drought map for conditions as of Jan. 6 shows an increase in drought area—the eighth weekly increase in the last 10 weeks,” the Jan. 12 Water Weekly report states. “Drought area has reached its largest extent since mid-November 2025 and is poised for further expansion in the coming weeks.”
What else?
Residents can contact James Altgelt, the Bastrop County emergency management coordinator, with questions at 512-581-4022.
