Nueces County has issued a Burn Ban Order effective immediately for the unincorporated areas of Nueces County. Burn Ban includes all outdoor burning and beach bonfires
The Order prohibits all outdoor burning, to include beach bonfires, in the unincorporated areas of the County for 60 days, unless the County Judge rescinds the restrictions earlier based on a finding that the circumstances requiring the Order no longer exist.
Household trash burning is allowed ONLY IF trash pickup is not available. If trash pickup is not available, an enclosed container such as a metal barrel may be used only if it has a spark and flame-arresting screen over the top of the container. Non-commercial cooking activities like backyard cookouts and barbecues are still permitted. Outdoor welding and other "hot work" must comply with fire code requirements.
This Order is adopted under Texas Local Government Code §352-081(d) and other applicable statutes. This Order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for 1) Firefighting training; 2) Public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; 3) Planting or harvesting of agricultural crops; or 4) Burns that are conducted by a certified and insured prescribed burn manager under Natural Resources Code §153.048 and meets the standards of Natural Resources Code §153.047.
Under Texas Local Government Code §352.081(h), a knowing or intentional violation of the court's order prohibiting or restricting outdoor burning is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00