Burn Ban Is In Effect. No Backyard Fires, No Hot Work, No Fireworks.

No Backyard Fires — and That Means More Than You Think

Before you drag the chiminea onto the patio this weekend or fire up the welder, it's worth knowing exactly what Denton County's burn ban covers — because it goes well beyond bonfires and burn piles.

Denton County Judge Andy Eads issued a Local Disaster Declaration for the threat of wildland fires, effective August 25. The ban is countywide and stays in place until county leaders determine that drought conditions have improved — there's no fixed end date. Tarrant County is also under an active burn ban, so Flower Mound residents are covered on both sides of the county line regardless of which part of town you're in.

Under the order, knowingly or willingly burning combustible materials outdoors on private property is prohibited. That's the obvious stuff. But outdoor cooking devices, welding, and fireworks are also restricted or prohibited. A violation can run up to $500.

The conditions behind this are real. High temperatures, high winds, low humidity, and dry or dormant vegetation have pushed the region to very high or extreme fire danger, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Denton County currently sits in moderate drought conditions per the U.S. Drought Monitor, and the county has seen a recent uptick in wildfire frequency.

Local fire departments are already stretched thin. Firefighters from Lewisville, Little Elm, and other nearby departments have been deployed since mid-August to help with fires elsewhere in the state, including the 50,000-acre Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County — roughly 90 miles southwest of us — which was at only 8% containment as of Tuesday afternoon. Mutual aid resources that would normally respond here are already committed elsewhere. That's the context for why county officials are asking residents to be especially careful right now.

If you smell smoke this week, it may be drifting from the Wise County fire or the Ross Fire to the southwest. The Denton County Sheriff's Office confirmed both as likely sources.

What's Actually Restricted

A plain-language rundown from the county order:

• No outdoor burning of any combustible material on private or public property
• Outdoor cooking devices are restricted — check the specific Denton County or Tarrant County guidelines for what's allowed and what isn't
• Welding and hot work that could generate sparks are restricted
• Fireworks are prohibited
• Violations carry a fine of up to $500

The ban has no scheduled expiration. County leaders will lift it when conditions improve.

Tonight at the Library: Environmental Extravaganza

While the county deals with drought and fire risk, the Flower Mound Public Library is hosting a free environmental learning event this afternoon.

The Environmental Extravaganza runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m. today, Thursday, August 27, at the library at 3030 Broadmoor Ln. Come-and-go format — show up when you can, leave when you need to. Expect games, giveaways, and hands-on activities for kids and families. No registration required.

The library is air-conditioned, the event is free, and it costs nothing to walk in.