Texas burn bans › Ward County
Is there a burn ban in Ward County, Texas today?
Yes. As of July 25, 2026, Ward County, Texas is under a countywide burn ban according to Texas A&M Forest Service data, with a listed effective date of March 8, 2021. Outdoor burning is prohibited until the county commissioners court lifts the order.
What the burn ban means in Ward County
A county burn ban prohibits or restricts outdoor burning — burning household trash, brush piles, leaves, fields, and open campfires — while drought conditions make wildfires likely. While the ban is active, do not burn debris, trash, brush, or open fires outdoors anywhere in the county.
Common exceptions (set by each county's order)
- Outdoor cooking on propane/LP-gas grills or enclosed cooking appliances is usually allowed.
- Welding, cutting, and grinding may be restricted or require precautions such as a spotter, cleared ground, and water on hand — some counties require a permit. See welding during burn bans.
- Burns authorized for public health and safety (e.g., firefighter training, certain agricultural or utility operations) may be exempt under state law.
The exact exceptions come from the Ward County order text — when in doubt, call the county before lighting anything.
Penalties for violating a burn ban
Under Texas Local Government Code §352.081, violating a county burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500. If your fire escapes and damages property, you can also face civil liability — and in serious cases, additional criminal charges such as arson or reckless damage.
Neighboring county status
| County | Status today |
|---|---|
| Crane County | BURN BAN |
| Ector County | No ban |
| Loving County | No ban |
| Pecos County | No ban |
| Reeves County | BURN BAN |
| Winkler County | BURN BAN |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is there a burn ban in Ward County right now?
- Yes. As of July 25, 2026, Ward County has an active countywide burn ban with a listed effective date of March 8, 2021, per Texas A&M Forest Service data. Outdoor burning is prohibited.
- What is the penalty for violating a burn ban in Ward County?
- Violating a county burn ban order is a Class C misdemeanor under Texas Local Government Code §352.081, punishable by a fine of up to $500. You can also be held civilly liable if a fire you start damages someone else's property.
- Can I use a propane grill during a Ward County burn ban?
- In most Texas counties, yes — burn ban orders typically target open flames and combustible debris burning, and most orders specifically allow outdoor cooking on propane (LP gas) grills or enclosed cooking devices. However, the exact exceptions are set by each county's order, so check Ward County's order text or call the county fire marshal or sheriff's office.
- Who issues and lifts burn bans in Ward County?
- The Ward County Commissioners Court (led by the county judge) adopts burn ban orders under Texas Local Government Code §352.081 when drought conditions create a wildfire hazard. An order can last up to 90 days at a time and can be renewed or lifted early when conditions improve.
- When will the Ward County burn ban be lifted?
- There is no fixed end date published in the state feed. Under §352.081 a burn ban order can run for a maximum of 90 days, but the commissioners court can lift it earlier after significant rainfall or renew it if drought persists. Check this page daily or sign up for our email alert to know the moment it changes.
Data source: Texas A&M Forest Service burn ban dataset, checked daily. This page was generated with live data on July 25, 2026 at 10:42 AM CDT.