HOOD COUNTY IS UNDER A 90 BURN BAN
When fire danger is high, even a small spark can have devastating consequences. To help protect our community and our first responders, Hood County Station 70 Volunteer Fire Department follows county-issued burn bans that restrict or prohibit outdoor burning. These measures are put in place to reduce the risk of wildfires, especially during hot, dry, and windy conditions. Please check here regularly for updates, learn what the current restrictions mean, and join us in keeping Granbury and the surrounding areas safe.
Burning Regulations
- Burning must be done no earlier than one hour after sunrise or later than one hour before sunset.
- Burning can only be done at a time when the wind speed is either greater than 6 mph and less than 23 mph
- Effective September 1, 2009, violation of the above can be classified up to a Class “A” misdemeanor and could result in fines, confinement, or both
- If you have items you need to dispose of that cannot be burned, you may be able to take them to the Hood County Citizens Collection Station.
What Can Be Burned
- Only dry plant growth generated on the burn site can be burned. An easy way to remember is if it grows on the property, and is cut on the property, it can be burned on the property. ALL other items are prohibited.
- You cannot burn within 300 feet of a Residential, Recreational, Commercial, or Industrial area that is not located on the property where the burning is occurring.
Frequently Asked Questions
We attempt to make every effort to let the public know a burn ban is in place. This is done by contacting local media, placing signs throughout the county. Additionally, we have started placing signs on county vehicles during a burn ban. View the following website to see which counties have bans in place.
Only dry plant growth generated on the burn site can be burned.
You can conduct a controlled burn when no burn ban is in effect. Burning must be done no earlier than one hour after sunrise and no later than one hour before sunset. Burning can also only be done at a time when the wind speed is 6-26 miles per hour.
Hood County does not require permits to conduct controlled burns. If you live within city limits, outdoor burning is not permitted. Hood County only requests that you complete the following form, so we are aware of the burn.
https://hoodcounty.texas.gov/departments/fire_marshal/burn_form.php
A burn ban is when restrictions are placed on outdoor activities that may cause fires. This includes outdoor burning and some welding activities.
While periods of rain help to relieve conditions that create a burn ban, the fact that it has rained does not lift the ban. In accordance with Texas law, the ban is either on or off. Even though increased moisture and humidity help to reduce activity of fire, you must remember that unless vegetation is in the growing phase, the fuel still contains little to no moisture, contributing to increased fire danger. Our office monitors the conditions daily during the time burn bans are in place and can assure you they will be lifted when burning can be done safely.
Violation of the burn ban may result in a fine of up to $500.
An outdoor burn warning notice is not a citation. Typically, this is written as a way for the deputy to provide information in writing to the individual. These are kept on file and if future contact is made by a deputy, it provides supporting documentation that the individual has been advised of the requirements for conducting a controlled burn.
If you received a citation, you should have also received a piece of paper informing you of the proper way to resolve the citation. If you have misplaced this, you can contact the justice of the peace for the precinct in which the citation was written. The office will let you know what options are available to resolve the citation. Hood County Justices of the Peace