Outdoor Burning

Outdoor burning is governed by Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code, Sections 111.201-111.221

State law prohibits outdoor burning, with the following exceptions:

1. As long as there is no temporary or absolute burn ban in effect, campfires, bonfires, and cooking fires are legal.
2. Burning of domestic waste (food waste, paper, brush) is legal.
3. Brush from land clearing may be burned when there is no practical alternative.
4. You may never burn the following materials: electrical insulation, treated lumber, plastics, non-wood construction debris, heavy oils, asphalt-based materials such as tarpaper or roofing, explosive materials, chemical wastes, natural or synthetic rubber or tires.

Outdoor Burning Procedures

1. Before you burn, contact the Williamson County dispatcher at 512-943-1389. All control burns must be registered with the dispatcher. The dispatcher will also notify you of any burning restrictions at that time.
2. Fires may be started one hour after sunrise. Make sure that your fire is OUT one hour before sunset. Always rake ash piles out to make sure the fire is out. Fires have started from ash piles that are a week old. Use water to extinguish completely.
3. Keep the burn small. For example, a four-foot square is safely controlled. Feed it slowly. You must have control of your fire at all times. Fires must be attended at all times!
4. Be sure you have a wide clearance of non-combustible ground on all sides.
5. Have enough water, loose soil, and equipment available that you can extinguish the fire quickly if necessary.
6. Make sure you have a phone to call 9-1-1 if the fire gets out of control.
7. Check to see that the wind speed is between 6 mph and 23 mph (weather radio or TV report).   If there is no wind, the smoke will not dissipate. Smoke must not impinge on smoke sensitive receptors such as other peoples homes,  schools, etc. Too much wind and your fire will be quickly out of control.
8. Out of control wildfires and/or illegal burning are subject to fees and/or fines to cover expenses incurred by the fire department.