Record High Temperatures through the Weekend with Rain Chances Early Next Week

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- No significant wildfires reported this week as Fireworks Sales Season gets underway.

June 24th marks the traditional start to the July 4th fireworks season, and while there have been a few small wildfires this week in Montgomery County, much of Southeast Texas remains classified as abnormally dry. Montgomery County Fire Officials continue to monitor drought conditions and wildfire risk on a daily basis. Our average Keetch Byram Drought Index (KBDI) reached 600 as of today, a level that indicates the area would need 6” of rainfall to be fully saturated. KBDI is measured on a scale of 1(fully saturated) to 800 (completely dry).

What does this mean for Montgomery County?

In Montgomery County, we have historically begun to see an increase in smaller wildfires once our drought index reaches 600. While there have not been any major wildfires recently, County Firefighters have responded to 1 or 2 minor grass fires each day this week. High temperatures will persist over the weekend, but the accompanying high humidity levels and calm winds have reduced our wildfire danger. Current forecasts call for cooler temps and a good chance of rain early next week and the MCFMO will continue to monitor our wildfire risk and will recommend a burn ban once conditions warrant. It should be noted that the burning of household trash is already banned year round in Montgomery County.

Does a Burn Ban limit Fireworks sales or use?

Under State Law, a burn ban only applies to outdoor burning, not fireworks. Banning the sale and use of consumer fireworks would require a formal declaration of disaster, an extreme measure that has only been used once before in Montgomery County. In 2011, during a historic summer fire season, a Disaster Declaration was issued and all sources of ignition were banned for most of the summer. While we are currently drier than usual for this time of year, we are nowhere near where we were at this point in 2011.


So, can I burn trash or household rubbish in Montgomery County?

Montgomery County residents are reminded that the burning of household rubbish is prohibited year round in subdivisions and small tracts of land less than 5 acres in size. Violators can be cited for a Class C Misdemeanor for burning trash at any time, regardless of whether or not a burn ban is in effect.

All commercial refuse burning is also prohibited year round and land clearing debris may not be burned on the surface of the ground due to state air quality regulations.