What happened
The ban was requested by the Harris County Fire Marshal's office, which cited "prolonged dry and hot weather, which has heightened the risk of grass fires across unincorporated Harris County."
Although all outdoor burning is prohibited, the ban does make exceptions for burns that occur within an enclosure that contains all flames and sparks, according to the Oct. 8 release. Other activities that are still allowed include:
- Outdoor burning authorized by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Approved ceremonial fires
- Non-commercial cooking, including backyard cookouts and barbecues
- Welding and other "hot work" as long as it complies with county fire code regulations
- Storing gasoline in an approved safety can away from occupied buildings
- Keeping combustible materials—such as firewood, wooden picnic tables, boats and stacked lumber—away from structures
- Clearing roof surfaces and gutters regularly to avoid the build-up of leaves and other debris
- Removing branches from trees to a height of 15 feet or more
- Having fire tools handy, such as a shovel, a rake and a bucket or two for water, as well as a ladder long enough to reach the roof
- Placing connected garden hoses at all sides of a home
According to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index—a tool used to gauge forest fire danger on a scale of 0-800—Harris County was largely in the 600-700 range on Oct. 8, which is around the point where wildfire intensity begins to increase significantly, according to the Texas Weather Connection run by Texas A&M University.
Harris County has issued burn bans the past few years as the county continues to experience hot, dry weather. The burn ban in 2023 ran from August through October, while 2022 saw two separate burn bans enacted in the summer and fall.
Harris County joins 120 other Texas counties that have enacted burn bans, including nearby Waller and Liberty counties.
A closer look
The restrictions on firework sales were approved ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights that takes place over the course of five days between October and November. In 2024, the actual celebration falls on Oct. 31.
From Oct. 25 through midnight Nov. 1, vendors won't be able to sell “tail and fin” fireworks, which typically include skyrockets, missiles and bottle rockets according to the HCFMO. In an Oct. 8 news release, HCFMO officials recommended residents leave "fireworks to the experts and professional public displays."
Those who do set off their own fireworks should have a water source available for emergencies and thoroughly soak fireworks before putting them in the trash, officials said.
What readers should know
Violation of the ban are considered a Class "C" misdemeanor and could result in a fine of up to $500.
