CURRENT STATUS (August 12, 2026): ACTIVE BURN BAN. Cooke County Commissioners Court voted on August 10, 2026, to institute a burn ban effective immediately because of increased fires and fire hazards. The ban applies to unincorporated areas of Cooke County. The county's full order and current restrictions control; check the Cooke County website before burning. Last verified August 12, 2026, using the Gainesville Daily Register report and Cooke County's public meeting calendar.
GAINESVILLE, Texas — Burn bans in Cooke County are issued by the Commissioners Court when dry conditions create elevated wildfire risk. The bans restrict outdoor burning and carry penalties for violations. Below is everything residents need to know.
What a burn ban prohibits
When a burn ban is in effect in Cooke County, the following outdoor burning activities are prohibited or restricted under the specific order in effect:
- Campfires, bonfires, and open-air burning
- Burning trash, brush, or debris outdoors
- Burning in unapproved containers (burn barrels without proper screening)
- Fireworks and other incendiary devices
- Welding or grinding outdoors in areas with dry vegetation (in some orders)
Certain activities may be exempt depending on the specific order, including commercial agricultural burning with prior approval and outdoor cooking in approved grills or smokers with proper containment. The exact terms vary with each order issued by the Commissioners Court. Residents should read the current order or contact Cooke County Emergency Management before starting any outdoor fire.
Penalties
Violating a county burn ban in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500. If the violation causes property damage or bodily harm, it can be elevated to a more serious charge.
How burn bans are issued and lifted
The Cooke County Commissioners Court has the authority to issue and lift burn bans under the Texas Disaster Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 418). The decision is typically based on:
- The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), which measures soil moisture and fire potential
- Recent rainfall levels and short-term weather forecasts
- Input from the Cooke County Fire Marshal and emergency management coordinator
- Conditions reported by volunteer fire departments across the county
Burn bans are voted on during regular or special Commissioners Court sessions. They are typically issued for an initial period (often 30, 60, or 90 days) and can be extended or lifted early depending on conditions.
How to stay informed
- Cooke County website: co.cooke.tx.us
- Cooke County Emergency Management: Rand Brown, coordinator, (940) 668-5400. The county participates in the CodeRED alert system — residents can sign up for notifications at the county website.
- Cooke County Sheriff's Office: (940) 665-3471 (non-emergency)
- Cooke County Record: We update this page each time the burn ban status changes and publish a separate news article with details on each decision.
Recent burn ban history
| Date | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| August 10, 2026 | Instituted — active | Commissioners Court voted to institute a burn ban effective immediately because of increased fires and fire hazards. The ban applies to unincorporated areas. See the Gainesville Daily Register report and Cooke County public meeting calendar. |
| March 10, 2026 | Lifted | Commissioners voted to lift the burn ban after recent rainfall improved conditions. |
| March 5, 2026 | Extended | Commissioners extended the burn ban as dry conditions persisted across the county. |
| February 3, 2026 | Lifted | Commissioners voted 3-1 to lift the burn ban following improved moisture conditions. |
| January 2026 | In effect | Burn ban active during dry winter conditions. |
About this page
This page is maintained by the Cooke County Record as a public resource. It is updated each time the Cooke County Commissioners Court issues, extends, or lifts a burn ban. The bold status line at the top of the page reflects the latest status verified by the Record; the county's current order controls.
For corrections or updates, contact news@cookecountyrecord.com.