Outdoor burning is allowed again in unincorporated Travis County after Chief Fire Marshal Gary Howell lifted the county's burn ban Nov. 3, citing rainfall, according to county records and a news release.
“Although conditions have improved, outdoor burning still carries risks,” Howell said in the release.
The ban had been in place since Aug. 11.
What residents should know
The change only applies to unincorporated areas, which are parts of the county outside city limits. In those areas, state rules allow residents to burn the following, according to the Travis County Fire Marshal's Office:
Brush, leaves and other plant growth from their own property
Household trash, only at homes without trash collection service
Tires, furniture, carpet, appliances and non-wood construction debris cannot be burned. Burns must happen during daylight, with someone attending at all times. Officials recommend keeping water or a fire extinguisher nearby and calling 911 if a fire gets out of control. Residents should contact their local fire department first and get any required permits, according to the release.
Inside city limits, local rules still apply:
Austin: Open burning, including trash, tree limbs and leaves, is prohibited in the city year-round, regardless of the county’s burn ban status, according to the Austin Fire Department. The department issues permits only for prescribed burns, which are planned fires used to manage land, not for burning yard waste or trash, an AFD spokesperson said.
Bee Cave and Lakeway: Lake Travis Fire Rescue requires a permit for any fire larger than 3 by 2 feet in Lakeway, according to the department. In Bee Cave, brush can only be burned as a controlled burn with a permit from the department, according to city code. Permits are available at ltfrpermits.com.
Pflugerville: The Pflugerville Fire Department requires a permit for all outdoor burning, even when no ban is in effect. Residents apply for permits online and activate them by phone or text before burning.
Some context
Under state law, the Travis County Commissioners Court can ban outdoor burning in unincorporated areas when conditions create a wildfire risk. The court can also let the fire marshal lift a ban once conditions improve, according to county records.
Burn bans are common in Travis County. A ban was in effect for parts of eight months in 2026, and the county lifted bans Jan. 26 and April 7 before the latest lift, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The January lift ended a ban that had been in place since late December.
Stay tuned
Residents can check the current burn ban status on the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office website or text TCBURNBAN to 888777 for alerts. The office can also help residents find the right fire department to contact about permits at 512-854-4621.
