Overview

• Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough issued a local disaster declaration and a burn ban that blocks all outdoor burning not permitted by the state and inspected by the fire marshal.
• Fort Bend County Commissioners’ Court approved an outdoor burn ban for unincorporated areas following persistent heat and lack of rain.
• The restrictions cover open flames such as trash burning, campfires and burn barrels, with exceptions only for fires fully contained within an enclosure.
• Keetch-Byram Drought Index readings reached 668 in Montgomery County and 642 in Fort Bend County, indicating significantly dry conditions.
• Other counties under burn bans include Liberty, Chambers, San Jacinto, Polk, Walker, Wharton, Austin and Colorado, and Harris County is considering action, with orders generally in effect until further notice.