On March 25, Liberty County Judge Jay Knight and Fire Marshal Nathan Green, with approval from the Commissioners Court, enacted a burn ban for all unincorporated areas due to increased wildfire risk.
Issued under Local Government Code Section 352.081, the ban prohibits most outdoor burning. Violations are a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. Burning household refuse outdoors in neighborhoods or on properties under five acres remains illegal under Section 352.082.
Exceptions include firefighter training, utility and pipeline operations, agricultural activities, and prescribed burns by certified professionals. The ban remains in effect until officials determine conditions have improved.