Residents in Johnson County can once more light their burn piles, as the burn ban that was curtailing such activities has been lifted. In a post shared by the City of Godley Fire Department, it was announced that the prohibition on outdoor burning, which had been in place since mid-September, was rescinded as of yesterday. The social media post reminded citizens to "use caution, burn safely and responsibly."
The burn ban had been a response to severe drought conditions and the potential for fire hazards in unincorporated areas of the county. Implemented on September 15, the original order was set to remain effective until December 14, or until conditions improved enough to safely rescind it. Clearly, the change in circumstances allowed the Commissioners Court to lift the ban earlier than anticipated. However, as the climate continues to present us with ever-shifting challenges, the community is urged to remain vigilant and to always prioritize safety when engaging in activities that could potentially create fire hazards.
According to the official order 2025-76, put forth by the Commissioners Court of Johnson County, the ban was initially enacted as a necessary measure due to the existing drought conditions that create a public safety hazard and would be exacerbated by outdoor burning. This legal document outlined the specifics of the ban, prohibiting the dispersal of sparks or flames in areas with combustible material unless it was wholly enclosed in a receptacle adequate to contain all such flames and/or sparks.
