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Colorado County issued an emergency burn ban due to dry, windy weather conditions that went into effect, Friday, Feb. 27, at 8 a.m.
County Judge Ty Prause signed the order targeting outdoor controlled burning and smoking the afternoon before. The new order ends exactly one month after Prause rescinded the previous burn ban that began Dec. 15, 2025. Colorado County joins 183 other Texan counties under burn bans as of March 2.
Prause cited a lack of rainfall, dry weather conditions and the increased risk of swift wildfires as the order’s motivation. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Colorado County received an average of two inches of rainfall for the entire month of February.
The county was recently under a wind advisory for Feb. 25 due to south winds of 15-25 miles per hour with gusts up to 30-35 miles per hour. Since the recension of the last burn ban, Columbus Volunteer Fire Department posted about fighting three out of control fires that started as controlled burns with one on Feb. 25.
While the decision to enact a burn ban lies with a county judge or commissioners court in Texas, the Texas A&M Forest Service utilizes the Keetch Byram Drought Index to determine drought conditions in counties and advise on burn bans. The index currently places Colorado County at an average score of 484 out of 800. A score of 400–600, usually seen in late summer and early fall, indicates increased wildfire intensity from lower litter and duff layers and longer burning or smoldering durations of larger fuels.
The order outlines a few exceptions including barbecues with certain aboveground grills, smoking unless ashes are properly disposed of and outdoor welding under specific conditions.
The burn ban expires after seven days, or on Friday, March 6, unless the commissioners court approves its renewal or continuance. Colorado County Commissioners Court is scheduled to meet again on Monday, March 9.
