High fire danger in Big Country: Burn bans in multiple counties

BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – With fire danger high across the Big Country, multiple counties are now under burn bans. In response to the elevated risk, the Taylor County Commissioners Court held an emergency meeting on Tuesday — the third since 1999 — to enact a burn ban.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Randy Williams noted that despite last night’s rainfall, very little water remains standing, as most of it soaked into the dry ground. Precinct 2 Commissioner Kyle Kendrick added that this time of year is when many residents burn off grass patches to reduce fuel loads. With the burn ban now in effect, he emphasized the importance of monitoring conditions closely so the ban can be lifted as soon as it’s safe.

Commissioner Chuck Statler reminded the court that this is only the third time a special session has been called since he was elected in 1999. One of those instances was another weather-related emergency — the July 7, 2002, Buffalo Gap-Tuscola flood.

Counties under a burn ban as of March 4, 2025:

• Brown
• Knox
• Comanche
• Fisher
• Mitchell
• Nolan
• Runnels
• Stonewall
• Taylor
• Throckmorton
• Runnels
• Brown
• Comanche

The Texas A&M Forest Service has forecasted fire danger ranging from moderate to extreme across the Big Country in the coming days. Conditions are expected to ease slightly on Wednesday before climbing back to a very high risk on Thursday.