Brazos County officials consider burn ban amid mixed drought conditions

The Brazos County Commissioners Court convened on March 11, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including the potential implementation of a county burn ban.

The meeting began with Jason, a representative from the county fire department, providing an update on the current fire conditions. He reported that there had been no active wildland fires in the past week, attributing this success to the citizens' careful management of controlled burns. However, he noted that the drought index remains a concern, with figures ranging from 106 in the southern part of the county to 581 in the northeast, indicating varying levels of drought severity across the region. Approximately three-quarters of Brazos County is still classified as experiencing moderate drought conditions.

Jason communicated that he had consulted with the four volunteer fire chiefs from the Emergency Services Districts (ESDs). The South Brazos County Fire Chief suggested monitoring the situation for another week, while the chiefs from District 2 and Precinct 3, representing the east and northeast areas, advocated for a burn ban due to the dry conditions. The Precinct 4 chief, despite reporting greener conditions in his district, also supported the burn ban, emphasizing that wildfires could impact all fire districts.

The court will consider these recommendations as they deliberate on the burn ban, aiming to ensure the safety of the community while balancing the current environmental conditions. Further discussions and decisions regarding the burn ban are expected in the coming weeks as the situation evolves.