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Belton Today
By the People, for the People
Bell County Issues Burn Ban After Weekend Fires
County officials cite increased fire risk despite recent rainfall
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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Bell County, Texas has issued an emergency burn ban after a spike in grass fires over the past weekend. The county's Emergency Management Coordinator cited the need to call in support from neighboring counties to respond to the 30 fires reported, double the previous week's total. While the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for the area is lower than usual for a burn ban, officials say the recent ice storm dried out vegetation, creating a fire risk despite moist ground conditions.
Why it matters
Burn bans are an important tool for local authorities to restrict outdoor burning and reduce the risk of wildfires, especially in drought-prone areas. This ban in Bell County highlights how even recent rainfall may not be enough to offset fire dangers posed by dry vegetation, underscoring the need for vigilance and quick response from emergency services.
The details
The burn ban in Bell County, Texas was issued by County Judge David Blackburn and will go into effect at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10th. Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Reinhard noted that the county was "stretched very thin" responding to the 30 grass fires reported over the past weekend, requiring assistance from neighboring counties. While the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for the area is lower than the typical threshold for a burn ban, Reinhard explained that the recent ice storm had dried out vegetation, creating a fire risk despite moist ground conditions.
- The burn ban will go into effect at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
- The Bell County Office of Emergency Management noted an increase in fire activity on Friday, February 6, 2026.
- By the end of the weekend, the number of fires reported had reached 30, double the previous week's total.
The players
David Blackburn
The Bell County Judge who issued the emergency burn ban.
Bob Reinhard
The Bell County Emergency Management Coordinator who cited the need for the burn ban due to increased fire activity and the strain on emergency resources.
What they’re saying
“We were stretched very thin in terms of trucks. We ended up needing support from McLennan, Falls, and Williamson Counties to respond to some of them.”
— Bob Reinhard, Emergency Management Coordinator (fox44news.com)
“The decision to issue an emergency burn ban order is always based on several factors, to include a state-generated drought index measure for our county. I also consider the actual conditions on the ground here in Bell County. This past week we have seen a significant increase in the number of grass fires across the county. That, along with recommendation from our Emergency Management office, were persuasive enough for me to issue the Burn Ban order at this time.”
— David Blackburn, Bell County Judge (fox44news.com)
What’s next
The judge hopes that the county may receive enough rain this week and over the weekend to allow the burn ban to expire without needing to be reissued.
The takeaway
This burn ban in Bell County underscores how even recent rainfall may not be enough to offset the fire risks posed by dry vegetation, highlighting the importance of proactive measures by local authorities to restrict outdoor burning and protect public safety.
