09/03/2026
Although parts of Smith County received significant rain Wednesday night, Smith County remains under a burn ban.
Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue reported that the average Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Smith County was 670 Thursday, lowered from 735 reported on Tuesday. The KBDI ranges from 0 to 800 and is used to determine forest fire potential.
“The rain definitely helped us but it wasn’t enough to get us into safe conditions for outdoor burning,” Hogue said.
On Tuesday, he reported that there have been 95 outdoor burning reports countywide.
The Commissioners Court issued the “Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning” on August 18. The burn ban is in effect for 90 days, unless conditions improve and the order is terminated early.
Fire pits or any form of outdoor burning is prohibited.
There are exceptions to the burn ban. People are still allowed to cook food in a grill or smoker that contains all open flames and have enclosed lids. Professional welding operations are allowed but all welders must notify and register with the Fire Marshal’s Office before welding outside and follow specific guidelines.
The order also does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, such as firefighter training; public utility, Texas Department of Transportation operations, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; planting or harvesting agricultural crops; or some prescribed burns.
A violation of the burn ban is a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500.
For more information, please call the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-590-2655 or visit www.smith-county.com and click on the red banner at the top of the homepage.