Smith County on Monday, October 5, 2026, lifted its outdoor burn ban, ending the prohibition early after recent heavy rainfall significantly improved drought conditions across the area. The decision, formalized by an order signed by Smith County Judge Neal Franklin, rescinded the 90-day ban that had been in effect since mid-August.
The burn ban was initially imposed on August 18 by the Smith County Commissioners Court through an “Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning.” For six weeks following its implementation, Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue provided weekly updates on local conditions during Tuesday commissioners meetings, monitoring factors critical to wildfire risk.
Fire Marshal Hogue confirmed that conditions had improved sufficiently to permit outdoor burning safely. “At this time, I believe conditions have improved enough in Smith County to safely allow outdoor burning,” Hogue stated, citing the positive impact of recent precipitation.
The primary tool used by the county to assess wildfire potential is the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI). This index evaluates the daily water balance, factoring in precipitation and soil moisture to monitor drought conditions, with values ranging from zero to 800. A higher KBDI number indicates increasing drought severity and a greater risk of forest fires.
Recent rainfall played a crucial role in lowering the KBDI and enabling the early lifting of the ban. Over the weekend preceding the decision, Smith County received nearly an inch of rain. According to the National Weather Service, 0.83 inches fell on Friday, followed by 0.08 inches on Saturday, and 0.03 inches on Sunday, accumulating to a total of 0.95 inches.
This precipitation dramatically reduced the county’s average KBDI. On Monday, the index stood at 541, a notable decrease from 717 just a week prior. This substantial drop indicated a reduced risk for outdoor burning, prompting Judge Franklin to sign the order to rescind the ban.
Had the order not been lifted early by the judge’s approval, the burn ban would have remained in place for its full 90-day duration, extending well into November. The early lifting reflects the county's responsiveness to environmental conditions, ensuring public safety while restoring residents' ability to conduct outdoor burning responsibly.
