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As drought conditions increase the risk of wildfires, Denton and Collin County residents will see restrictions on outdoor burning.
Both counties are under a mandatory burn ban as of Aug. 25, according to local officials.
The Collin County Commissioners Court approved an outdoor burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Collin County at an Aug. 24 meeting, and the Denton County Commissioners Court approved a similar ban on Aug. 25, according to a county news release.
What you need to know
The mandatory burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, and hot work like welding is subject to restrictions, per the release.
In Denton County, outdoor cooking must also comply with certain conditions to mitigate fire risk.
Propane, natural gas, wood or charcoal devices must be completely enclosed at all times, and wood or charcoal devices must have a five-foot radius clear of combustible materials or debris, according to county regulations.
In Collin County, the ban applies to outdoor burning activities except for uses authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, including:
Regulations may vary within incorporated areas, so residents are encouraged to check with their local officials for specific information.
The context
The burn bans can be lifted by a subsequent order from the commissioners courts once drought conditions subside, according to county documents.
The fire threat is expected to remain elevated through Sept. 1, according to the National Weather Service.
Aug. 30 marks the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s 46th day with only trace amounts of rain, based on readings from the official climate site at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
The streak is tied for the area’s tenth longest stretch of consecutive days without measurable precipitation on record, per the National Weather Service.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service also anticipate that 2026 will become the seventh year to register only trace amounts of rain for the entire month of August, according to the center’s website.
Before you go
Including Denton and Collin County, 204 of Texas’ 254 counties are under a burn ban as of Aug. 31, according to data from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The Denton and Collin County burn bans come as the Ross fire continues to rage through Palo Pinto County, roughly two hours west of Dallas-Fort Worth.
The Ross fire began on Aug. 24, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. As of Aug. 31, the fire has spanned more than 85,000 acres and is only 31% contained, per the Texas A&M Forest Service.
