Discussion and possible action to approve a burn ban Order for a maximum of Ninety (90) days of all outdoor burning in all the unincorporated areas of Webb County commencing August 24, 2026, pursuant to Local Government Code §352.081 and other applicable statutes, a violation of this Order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00; and any other matters incident thereto.

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Discussion and possible action to approve a burn ban Order for a maximum of Ninety (90) days of all outdoor burning in all the unincorporated areas of Webb County commencing August 24, 2026, pursuant to Local Government Code §352.081 and other applicable statutes, a violation of this Order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00; and any other matters incident thereto. Issue: The current Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) average for Webb County is at 534 and is expected to reach 664 within the next fourteen days. (KBDI scale ranges from 0-800 with 800 representing extremely dry conditions.) These conditions create a high risk of wildfires with danger to damage life and property. Solution: Order an immediate Burn Ban for a maximum of 90 days (or until conditions are considered safe) to be enforced by the Sheriff’s Office to discourage outdoor burning in order to prevent spread of wildfires and loss of life and property. Result: Discourage citizens from outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of Webb County in order to prevent wildfires and enforce a fine of up to $500 by the Sheriff’s Office for those citizens that do not abide by Burn Ban.

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.0/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).