Taylor County Judge Orders Urgent Burn Ban: What You Need to Know

Why the Ban Was Put in Place

The Taylor County Commissioners’ Court declared a county-wide burn ban on September 9, 2025, citing extremely dry conditions and heavy fuel accumulations across unincorporated areas of the county. Officials determined that any outdoor burning at this time poses a serious fire risk to homes, property, and lives.

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The order is effective immediately and will remain in place for 90 days, through December 7, 2025, unless conditions improve and the ban is lifted earlier.

What’s Prohibited Under the Order

The ban makes it a Class C misdemeanor to:

• Burn combustible material outside of an enclosure that can contain all flames and sparks.
• Engage in outdoor activities that could cause flames or sparks leading to a fire.

Law enforcement across Taylor County is authorized to enforce the order, and violators may also be held liable for any damages caused by their actions.

Exceptions to the Burn Ban

Some outdoor activities are exempt, including:

• Firefighter training, utility work, pipeline operations, and crop management approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
• Prescribed burns carried out by certified burn managers.
• Welding, as long as the area is cleared of flammable debris and an additional person is on hand with fire-extinguishing materials.

Staying Safe in Abilene and Beyond

I live just on the outer edge of Abilene, where dry brush and dead foliage are common this time of year. We’ve seen firsthand how quickly fire can spread, once from a neighbor’s fireworks display and another time when lightning struck a nearby dead tree.

Read More: Why Abilene, Texas Is Called the Key City (And 9 More Facts)

That’s why it’s important for all of us in Taylor County to not only follow the rules but to look out for our neighbors too. If you see unsafe activity, speak up or call authorities before a small flame becomes a disaster.