Under Texas Law, local governments are duty bound to act on behalf of those they serve. When hazardous conditions exist, a burn ban can be put in place by an order of a county judge or the county commissioners court prohibiting or restricting outdoor burning for public safety. When a burn ban is ordered, it generally prohibits burning for a specified time period. A burn ban can restrict or completely prohibit most outdoor burning activities to reduce wildfire risks during dry, dangerous conditions. Those activities generally include open fires, including trash/debris burning, brush piles, bonfires, and fireworks.