Neighboring Fannin County Institutes Burn Ban
October 15, 2025 – Hopkins County has yet to issue a burn ban this fall, but our neighboring county to the northwest issued one today. Residents of Fannin County are now prohibited from outdoor burning.
Due to dangerous conditions that could lead to fast-moving grassfires, Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to implement a countywide ban on all outdoor burning. That decision came during a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Fannin County residents are asked to be particularly mindful of any equipment or outdoor work that may cause a spark or ignition source that could go unnoticed.
High winds can cause grassfires to spread very quickly and can cause firefighting to be difficult and dangerous, as well. Please help keep our county safe!
WHEREAS, in accordance with provision of Section 352.081 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Fannin County Judge has found that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area of Fannin County create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning; and
WHEREAS, a finding of such public safety hazard authorizes the imposition of controls on activities which tend to increase the likelihood of such fires;
BE IT THEREFORE ORDERED that the following regulations are hereby established for all unincorporated areas of Fannin County, Texas for the duration of this Order:
(1) Actions Prohibited:
A person violates this Order if the person burns any combustible material (including burn barrels for trash) or orders such burning by others.
(2) Exceptions:
This Order does not apply to outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for (1) firefighter training, (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline, or mining operations, (3) burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Section 153.048, Natural Resources Code, and meet the standards of Section 153.047, Natural Resources Code.
(4) This Order also does not apply to any burns that are conducted in accordance with a plan that has been approved by the natural Resources Conservation Service or by the directors of the Fannin Soil & Water Conservation District.
(5) US-Forest Service employees with RXB2 Burn authority for Caddo Grasslands only.
(6) Welding, including cutting and grinding with the following restrictions: areas 10 ft. radius altered with the fire retardant or non-combustible material, fire fighting capability of 100 gallons of water, fire watch with cell phone, winds less than 20 mph, call into the County Judge or Commissioner AND Local Fire Department (closest to work location), to provide work location address before work begins.
(7) NTMWD may burn within the permanent water area of the Bois d’ Arc Lake with advanced notice to the Sheriff’s office, local fire department(s) for that area and the Emergency Management Office before work begins
(8) UTRWD may burn within the permanent water area of Lake Ralph Hall with advanced notice to the Sheriff’s office, local fire department(s) for that area and the Emergency Management Office before work begins.
Sheriff: 903-583-2143
Emergency Management: 903-640-8484
County Judge: 903-583-7455(3) Enforcement:
(a) Upon notification of suspected outdoor burning, the fire department assigned to the location of the fire shall respond to the scene and take immediate measures to contain and/or extinguish the fire.
(b) As soon as possible, a duly-commissioned peace officer shall be sent to the scene to investigate the nature of the fire.
(c) This Order may be enforced in accordance with section 352.081 of the Texas Local Government Code. An offense based on a violation of this Order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00.
(4) Duration:
This order shall remain in effect from the effective and extended dates listed below, and shall continue upon determination by the Commissioners Court, either by its own action, or through the County Judge as its authorized agent, in which the circumstances referred to herein no longer exist, whichever is earlier.
So ordered and effective immediately this 14th day of October, 2025 for 7 days.
In Texas, local governments are empowered to take action on the behalf of those they serve. When drought conditions exist, a burn ban can be put in place by a county judge or county commissioners court prohibiting or restricting outdoor burning for public safety.
A burn ban means no outdoor burning is allowed, except in an enclosure that contains all flames and/or sparks. Non-commercial cooking, such as backyard cookouts and barbeques, are still allowed. Any outdoor welding and/or other “hot work” must be performed in accordance with fire code requirements.
As of this posting, there is no significant precipitation in the 7 day forecast.
