HARRIS COUNTY — A 90-day outdoor burn ban is now in effect across unincorporated Harris County as officials respond to persistent dry conditions and the risk that small fires could spread quickly.
Harris County Commissioners Court approved the restriction Thursday, Sept. 17, following a request supported by the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, local fire chiefs and the Texas A&M Forest Service. The order will remain in place for 90 days unless commissioners suspend or extend it.
The ban applies only to unincorporated parts of Harris County, not areas governed by the City of Houston or another municipality. It prohibits outdoor burning unless the fire is inside an enclosure capable of containing all flames and sparks.
Violating the order is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.
Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie L. Christensen said recent rain has not fallen evenly across the county’s more than 1,700 square miles. Although some locations have improved, other areas remain dry enough for a fire to move rapidly and place additional demands on first responders.
The county has not reported a surge in outdoor-fire calls. Officials said the restriction is preventive and based on current conditions, local fire chiefs’ assessment and coordination with the state forest service.
Harris County is currently in the 500-to-600 range on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, according to information released with the order. The scale runs from zero to 800, with higher readings representing drier vegetation and greater wildfire potential.
The local ban is part of a wider pattern across Southeast Texas. More than 200 Texas counties have outdoor-burning restrictions, including Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston and Waller counties, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service wildfire system.
Rainfall totals help explain the concern. Harris County had received about 0.91 inches of rain in September when the ban was issued, compared with a typical monthly total of 2.87 inches, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Residents can reduce the chance of accidental fires by avoiding debris burning, keeping grills and approved fire containers away from dry grass, disposing of cigarettes properly and securing trailer chains that can drag on pavement and create sparks. Vehicles should not be parked over tall, dry vegetation because hot exhaust components can ignite grass.
Anyone who sees an uncontrolled fire should move to safety and call 911. Residents should also monitor county alerts because the restrictions may be lifted early if conditions improve or extended if drought persists.
Sources: Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office; Houston Chronicle, Sept. 18, 2026; Texas A&M Forest Service.
