Orange County Burn Bans Cover the Unincorporated Areas

Even a famously rainy corner of Texas dries out. When the Keetch-Byram drought index climbs and the Texas A&M Forest Service flags it, the Orange County Commissioners Court can drop a burn ban on the unincorporated parts of the county under Section 352.081 of the Local Government Code. The 2023 orders show how fast it swings: a ban went on in late October and was lifted by November 14.

A ban only reaches the unincorporated land. If your place is inside Orange, Vidor, Bridge City, or another city, that city's own rules govern your burn pile, ban or no ban.

Because the status can change in a week of dry north wind, going by what your neighbor did last month is how people get a citation. The county Emergency Management office keeps the current order posted, and the Forest Service runs a statewide map you can check before you light anything. Office line is (409) 882-7895.