Comal County Burn Ban Now in Effect as Outdoor Burning Is Restricted
Weekend yard cleanup, brush piles and other outdoor projects involving fire now require extra attention. Comal County’s burn ban is officially in effect, prohibiting outdoor burning throughout the county’s unincorporated areas beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, August 21, 2026.
The Comal County Commissioners Court adopted Order No. 570 on Thursday, August 20, after determining that current conditions in unincorporated portions of the county create a public safety hazard that could be made worse by outdoor burning.
The order is especially relevant during late summer, when dry grass, brush and vegetation can allow a small fire to spread beyond its intended area. For homeowners and property owners across Comal County, the practical takeaway is straightforward: residents should not assume that a normally permitted outdoor burn is allowed while the county order remains in effect.
What the Comal County Burn Ban Means
Under Order No. 570, all outdoor burning is prohibited in unincorporated Comal County for up to 90 days from the date the order was adopted, unless county officials lift the restrictions sooner.
The Commissioners Court cited drought conditions and information reviewed by the Comal County Fire Marshal and Texas Forest Service, including the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, or KBDI, in adopting the restriction.
The KBDI is commonly used by fire and emergency management officials to measure the dryness of soil and vegetation and help evaluate wildfire potential. According to the county order, the index exceeded 552 on August 20.
That may sound like a technical number, but for residents it points to a more familiar concern: vegetation and ground conditions are dry enough that outdoor fire requires greater caution.
Are There Exceptions to the Burn Ban?
The order includes several specific exceptions.
Outdoor burning related to public health and safety may continue when authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, including certain activities involving firefighter training, public utilities, natural gas pipelines, mining operations and the planting or harvesting of agricultural crops.
The restriction also does not apply to qualifying burns conducted by a certified prescribed burn manager under applicable Texas law.
In addition, a person may conduct an otherwise restricted burn if they first obtain a written permit from the Comal County Fire Marshal.
Those exemptions are narrowly defined, meaning residents should not treat them as a general exception for household brush burning, debris disposal or other routine outdoor fires.
Violations Can Carry a Fine
The order establishes penalties for knowingly or intentionally violating the burn restriction.
A violation is classified as a Class C misdemeanor and may result in a fine of up to $500.
For Comal County homeowners planning property cleanup, landscaping work or other outdoor projects, checking burn-ban status before lighting anything outdoors is a simple step that can prevent both a dangerous situation and a potential citation.
Residents who are uncertain whether a particular activity is permitted should contact the Comal County Fire Marshal’s Office before proceeding.
How Long Will the Comal County Burn Ban Last?
Although Order No. 570 can remain in place for 90 days, it does not necessarily mean the restrictions will continue for the entire period.
The Commissioners Court authorized the Comal County Judge to temporarily lift the burn ban for a period of no more than 48 hours.
The county judge may also lift the order altogether if the Texas Forest Service, supported by the Comal County Fire Marshal, determines that the drought conditions requiring the restriction no longer exist.
If the order is not lifted earlier, it expires on the 90th day after its adoption.
Commissioners adopted the burn ban on August 20 by a 5-0 vote.
What Residents Should Know Going Forward
For now, residents living in unincorporated Comal County should consider the burn ban active and plan outdoor work accordingly.
The restrictions are less about interrupting ordinary routines than reducing the chance that one backyard or property fire becomes a larger emergency affecting neighbors, homes, firefighters and surrounding land.
Conditions can change with rainfall, temperature, humidity and other factors, so burn restrictions may also change before the 90-day period ends.
Residents can review county burn-ban information and Order No. 570 through Comal County’s official website and should watch for future announcements if conditions improve enough for the restrictions to be lifted.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates affecting local homeowners, families and neighborhoods across Comal County.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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