Denton County sits at the center of an extreme fire danger zone, with 102°F heat on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and critically dry vegetation creating conditions where any outdoor spark could spread fast across Flower Mound, Highland Village and surrounding communities.
Texas A&M Forest Service issued the designation, placing the county squarely in the highest-risk category on its statewide fire danger map, according to the Denton Record-Chronicle. The National Weather Service forecast a high of 102°F in Denton that day, and critically low humidity compounded the threat.
Any outside fire could spread fast.
No outdoor burning allowed
Denton Fire Department Battalion Chief David Boots said Aug. 4 was not a county-approved burn day, meaning residents were "prohibited from outside burning without notifying county officials."
As of Wednesday, Aug. 5, the Denton County Burn Control portal still displayed a no-burn status, stating outdoor burning is banned until further notice due to lack of rain and dry conditions. The county determines burn-day status each morning between 8 and 9 a.m.
Residents inside Flower Mound and Highland Village city limits should check with their local fire departments for specific rules on outdoor burning, as regulations vary by municipality.
What to avoid
The Denton Fire Department advised residents to use caution with:
- Welding and hot work
- Cigarettes discarded outdoors
- Loose trailer chains that can drag and spark
- Outdoor cooking, including grills
Drought context
The extreme designation comes after Denton County recorded just 0.12 inch of rain in July, a 93% drop below the 30-year average. As we reported Aug. 3, the year-to-date rainfall deficit has pushed past 7 inches below normal, leaving vegetation critically dry heading into the hottest stretch of summer.
How to report
Residents of unincorporated Denton County who need information about controlled burn permits can contact the Denton County Emergency Services Office at 940-349-2840. Anyone who spots an uncontrolled fire should call 911 immediately.
The ban has no announced end date.
