The East Texas burn ban footprint remains in effect across most of the 936 as triple-digit heat and cracker-dry brush push wildfire risk to very high, and locally extreme. Angelina County is under a 90-day order that started Aug. 13, and neighboring counties have their own bans on the books.
Fire weather forecasters warn that scattered severe storms this week could bring 60 to 70 mph wind gusts before conditions ease, meaning any spark that lands in the wrong ditch has a chance to run. Crews already worked a grass and woods fire in northern Rusk County and a power-line-caused grass fire in Kilgore over the weekend.
What to avoid right now: outdoor burning, welding or grinding in the open, dragging trailer chains, and parking hot equipment in tall grass. Report smoke early. Call 9-1-1 the moment you see it, not after you have watched it grow.
Sources: Q107.7 – Deep East Texas burn bans; KLTV – Angelina County announces burn ban.