Texas burn bans › Welding During a Burn Ban in Texas: Rules, Permits, and Precautions

Can you weld during a burn ban in Texas?

By Burn Ban Texas · Updated July 25, 2026 · 86 of 254 Texas counties currently have a burn ban

Short answer: it depends on your county's order. A Texas burn ban is an order of the county commissioners court, and each county writes its own terms. Some orders ban only outdoor burning of combustible material and don't mention welding at all; many others specifically restrict outdoor welding, cutting, and grinding — activities that throw sparks and hot slag into dry grass — or allow them only with precautions or a permit.

What county orders typically say about welding

Where welding is addressed, common requirements include some or all of the following:

• Clear the work area of vegetation down to bare ground or gravel for a set radius (commonly 10–25 feet).
• Keep a spotter / fire watch whose only job is watching for ignitions, during the work and for a period afterward.
• Water or an extinguisher on site — e.g., a pressurized water sprayer, extinguisher, or water tank ready at the work location.
• Wind limits — no hot work above a stated wind speed.
• Notification or a hot-work permit from the county fire marshal before starting outdoor welding.

Why it matters

Welding and grinding sparks are a documented cause of Texas wildfires during drought. If your welding starts a fire during a burn ban, you face the Class C misdemeanor fine (up to $500) where the order covers hot work — and far more importantly, civil liability for the damage the fire causes, which can reach into the millions for a large wildfire. Criminal charges are possible in reckless cases.

What to do before outdoor hot work

1. Check whether your county is under a burn ban today.
2. If it is, get the actual order text from the county's website or fire marshal and read the welding/hot-work clause.
3. Call the county fire marshal if the order is unclear — some counties issue same-day hot-work permits.
4. Regardless of legality: clear the area, wet it down, keep water and a spotter on hand, and stop work in gusty wind. Pipeline, utility, and oilfield employers commonly require this as policy.

Frequently asked questions

Is welding illegal during a burn ban in Texas?

Not automatically — it depends on the county's order. Some burn ban orders don't cover welding; many restrict outdoor welding, cutting, and grinding or require precautions such as a cleared area, fire watch, water on hand, or a permit from the county fire marshal.

Do I need a permit to weld outside during a burn ban?

In some counties, yes — the burn ban order may require notifying the fire marshal or obtaining a hot-work permit before outdoor welding. Check your county's current order text or call the fire marshal's office.

What precautions are required for welding during a burn ban?

Typical requirements: clear vegetation from the work area, keep a dedicated spotter during and after the work, keep water or an extinguisher at the site, and stop in high wind. These are also standard industry practice for outdoor hot work in drought.

What happens if my welding starts a fire during a burn ban?

You can be fined up to $500 (Class C misdemeanor) where the order covers hot work, held civilly liable for all damage the fire causes, and in reckless cases charged criminally.

Can oilfield and pipeline crews weld during a burn ban?

Generally yes, subject to the county order's conditions — utility and pipeline safety work is often accommodated, sometimes with notification or permit requirements. Company hot-work policies usually add stricter precautions on top.