On July 11, 2023, the Ector County Commissioner’s Court approved an Outdoor Burning Ban for all of Ector County. This order prohibits all outdoor burning in the unincorporated area of the county for ninety days, unless the restrictions are terminated earlier by the court. The only exceptions to this order are as follows:
- Firefighting training;
- Public utilities, natural gas pipeline or mining operations;
- Planting or harvesting of agricultural crops;
- Burns conducted by certified burn manager;
- Welding activities pursuant to a person’s gainful employment;
- Outdoor barbecuing in an appropriate barbeque grill; or
- Burning of household trash in proper barrel with an iron grate.
As with most of West Texas, the unincorporated areas of Ector County have been experiencing an extended period of extreme heat and drought conditions, which prompted the Office of Emergency Management to request this outdoor burning ban. This outdoor burning ban was sought to help protect the lives and property of our residents, a Thursday press release stated.
All Ector County residents are urged to do their part to help keep everyone safe.
A violation of this order prohibiting outdoor burning is a class C misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine up to $500.00.
