January 13, 2025 – During the regular meeting of the Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court on Tuesday, a unanimous vote upheld the temporary burn ban. The 90 day extension prohibits all outdoor burning until April 13, 2026 unless the burn ban is lifted by the court before expiration. Hopkins County is already designated as being in the Moderate Drought category as are Delta, Franklin, Lamar and Titus counties. Red River County is experiencing more sever drought conditions already being designated as Severe Drought by the Texas Drought Monitor.
Local Volunteer Fire Departements have now been put on notice of the Burn Ban as the Hopkins County Fire Department calls on the volunteers to help in monitoring and enforcing the ban.
Some activites are exempt during the burn ban. Find specifics on those below:
All outdoor burning remains prohibited during this period unless specifically exempted under the order. Approved exemptions include limited activities authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, such as firefighter training, certain agricultural operations, prescribed burns conducted by certified burn managers, public utility or pipeline operations, and commercial welding or hot work.
Please note the following operational requirements:
- Any activity claiming an exemption must have a written Plan of Action on file with the Hopkins County Fire Department.
- Plans of Action must be submitted daily for review and approval prior to conducting any exempt activity.
- Adequate fire suppression equipment must be on-site, and combustible materials must be cleared in accordance with the order.
- Violations of the burn ban order are enforceable as a Class C misdemeanor.
As stated in the order, violating the burn ban carries a Class C misdeameanor charge.
