A countywide burn ban is now in effect in Williamson County as drought conditions increase across the area.
A closer look
The Williamson County Commissioners Court issued the ban at 11:05 a.m. Aug. 18. The order can remain in effect for up to 90 days, though the commissioners court or county judge may lift it earlier if conditions improve.
The ban prohibits outdoor burning of combustible materials unless the fire is contained within an enclosure that contains all flames and sparks. This includes burning household yard waste such as leaves, grass, brush and other trimmings, as well as burning trees, stumps, shrubs or other vegetation for land clearing.
Violating the burn ban is a class c misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, according to a county news release. Residents can view the full order and additional restrictions on the Williamson County burn ban status webpage.
Zooming out
The Williamson County burn ban comes as wildfire risk increases across Texas amid hot, dry conditions. At least 140 of the state’s 254 counties were under burn bans as of Aug. 12, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
Texas lawmakers are also examining ways to improve wildfire preparedness ahead of the 2027 legislative session. During an Aug. 11 Senate hearing, experts and community members called for increased funding for prescribed burns and volunteer fire departments, more firefighting aircraft, grants to help residents harden homes against wildfires and improved emergency communications.
From 2020 to 2025, more than 45,000 wildfires burned over 2.7 million acres across Texas, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
What residents need to know
In Texas, 90% of wildfires are started by humans. These human-caused fires can be a result of campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, downed power lines or negligently discarded cigarettes, according to county officials.
Creating a defensible space surrounding your home is important, Williamson County wildfire officials previously told Community Impact.
A defensible space is a buffer between a home and surrounding vegetation or debris, such as trees, brush or missing roof shingles. This buffer helps improve a house’s chance of surviving a wildfire and gives firefighters a safe area to work in to defend the structure.
Residents can also sign up to receive burn ban status updates at www.wilcotx.gov/902/Burn-Ban-Status.
