Effective Dec. 5, the Harris County Commissioners Court has lifted a burn ban in unincorporated Harris County, the county fire marshal’s office announced on social media.
Harris County commissioners previously implemented the burn ban Oct. 16 due to “ongoing dry weather and heightened fire danger,” Community Impact previously reported.
What you need to know
Outdoor burning is still not allowed in many counties across Texas, per the announcement. Additionally, outdoor burning in most cases is illegal in Harris County as it contributes to air pollution, according to Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, or HCPHES.
However, outdoor burning is permitted in some instances so long as it follows guidelines established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
According to HCPHES, authorized burns include:
Domestic waste, if garbage collection is not provided by a municipality or utility district, however, businesses may not burn domestic wasteOn-site burning of trees, grass, leaves and other plant matter if TCEQ determines there is no other practical alternativeBurning of crop residue for agricultural management if no practical alternative existsThe three exceptions are prohibited when Harris County commissioners implement a burn ban, per the guidelines. Find more details about outdoor burning in Harris County here.
Before you go
To promote public health and safety, HCPHES noted several alternatives to burning waste, such as:
Recycling paper, glass, plastics, aluminum and small electronic wasteComposting waste from landscape maintenanceMechanical chipping or mulching of wood and plant productsLogging cleared trees for lumber, pulp or firewoodDisposing of waste at designated landfillsTo report illegal outdoor burning or answer additional questions, call HCPHES at 713-920-2831.