Denton County's Burn Ban Is in Effect. Here Is What It Means in The Colony.

Denton County banned outdoor burning on Tuesday morning, effective immediately, and the practical question for most residents here is how much of it reaches them.

The short answer is that the order governs unincorporated land. Texas law lets a commissioners court restrict outdoor burning in the unincorporated part of a county, not inside a city. Households inside The Colony are subject to the city's own rules rather than to the county order.

What the order says

Burning combustible material outdoors is prohibited. Emergency Services Districts No. 1 and No. 2 define that to cover wood, lumber, leaves, brush and welding material. Outdoor cooking is barred unless the device runs on propane or natural gas and is fully enclosed and kept closed while in use.

A violation carries a fine of up to $500, and property damage caused by reckless burning or fireworks can bring further consequences under state law. The ban runs until the state of disaster is terminated by the Commissioners Court or County Judge Andy Eads.

The conditions behind it

County Fire Marshal Brad Sebastian told commissioners the county had gone more than 30 days without measurable rainfall, with higher-than-normal temperatures through July and early August.

A grass fire near Ponder burned about 125 acres on Sunday evening. Further out, the Denton County Sheriff's Office put the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County at roughly 50,000 acres and 5 percent containment, with the Rio Escondido Fire in Hamilton County at 2,650 acres and 50 percent contained.

Crews from Krum, Lewisville, Little Elm, Justin, Fort Worth and Roanoke have gone to those fires under mutual aid, which thins staffing closer to home while the deployments last.