My county is always slow to release any burn ban. Even when everything is obviously wet. I also have an overactive and bored VFD nearby and nosey neighbors.

Does anyone know the actual law on using fire pits during a burn ban? Im finding conflicting info. Some say must be at least 3ft wide by 2ft tall. Some saying it can't be bigger than 3x2. Some saying it must have a metal grate over the top. Others, no mention of it.

I want to make sure im in compliance when they roll in hot, all worked up.

This gets weird. By what you have said I assume you are in Brazos County but outside the city limits.
If you look at local government code 352.081 the county can use a burn ban to prevent recreational fires such as yours.
If you look at the actual burn ban issued by Brazos County it appears you can burn in "an enclosure serving to contain all flames and/or sparks" which sure sounds like a fire pit with a screen.

GSS said:

---

Most simply read "no open fires", which excludes BBQ cooking.
A common cause of rural fires, especially in dry conditions, is the "burn barrel" fire, which at first glance would seemed contained, till it isn't. Fire pits may be viewed as similar.

---

If you put a proper screen over the top of a burn barrel, it can be no different than a BBQ pit. But most people don't put anything over the top and let the sparks and embers fly where they may, which in a strict sense means that it is an "open fire" not a "closed fire" like you would have in the firebox of a smoker or bbq pit.

I would say that burn bans normally don't include contained fires in a fire-apparatus. You could call and check...

I believe a proper contained burning unit with a mesh grate to catch any cinders in the smoke would be OK.

I burn boxes in an old BBQ pit with some 1/4" hardware cloth mesh over the smoke stack.

OnlyForNow said:

---

I would say that burn bans normally don't include contained fires in a fire-apparatus. You could call and check...

---

Is that like a solo stove?

Solo stove, contained burn barrel (although probably not a good idea to burn trash right now), chiminea or fire pit is probably ok.

Unless otherwise stated placing a grate over a burn barrel/Pit should solve all problem! But again that changes from county to county and municipality to municipality.

I'm not sure if thus is helpful but if there is a burn ban in a national park that I'm camping in, I've never been able to use my solo stove w the screen ontop....only propane firepit

Depends on location. Where we are Stage 1 says "permanent enclosed fire ring". Stage 2 no open flames. Red Flag during stage 1 means automatic Stage 2.

Thanks for all the thoughts. Sitting here now listening to the rain on top of the deer stand. Im going to try to get a written copy of the burn ban today to see what it actually says.

With everything wet and no safety concerns, id really like to have a fire around hunting camp.

If y'all wanna go down a rabbit hole of why Texas isn't exactly the last bastion of freedom that we think it is, just look up our outdoor burning regulations.

Quote:

---

The Outdoor Burning Rule first prohibits outdoor burning anywhere in Texas, and then allows exceptions for specific situations in which burning is necessary or does not pose a threat to the environment.

- Outdoor Burning in Texas, TCEQ RG-049

---

My opinion here ought to spark some debate. Maybe we do actually need rules like these to protect us. We have a history of lots of loss of life and property due to wildfires. But golly if this just isn't an example of how government exists to prohibit an otherwise free behavior.

OP, my recommendation would be to contact your local authority and ask for a determination if you don't want to risk their unwelcomed involvement in your otherwise personal matters.

I 100% agree with the rule and think punishment for violating it should be much harsher to encourage compliance. We have been under a ban here in Bastrop for quite some time, and hearing scanner calls out to brush fires that started from illegal burning is almost a weekly thing right now. Most of them they are able to get control of fairly quickly, but at least 2-3 lately have required aerial assets.

The fire we had in the panhandle showed us how bad things can get when you have a range fire truly get out of control in high winds. We should have very little patience for people that can't or won't burn safely. These days, there are a ton of different options besides burning to get rid of trash, brush, etc. People who chose not to have the extra expense of having their trash picked up or hauling it to the dump themselves are just going to have to put up with the fact that there are times they are just not going to be able to burn it for a while when things are dry and ripe for fire.

Here's a funny story. I was going to burn some 1X4 form lumber in my garden and had a water hose close by, etc. I went in and asked my wife for some matches. She said, what do you need them for? I told her and she said, no! we're under a burn ban. I asked her if the burn ban meant you couldn't barbecue hot dogs? She said I guess that's okay. I said, okay get me a package of wieners and some matches please. She didn't.

Todd 02 said:

---

If y'all wanna go down a rabbit hole of why Texas isn't exactly the last bastion of freedom that we think it is, just look up our outdoor burning regulations.

Quote:

---

The Outdoor Burning Rule first prohibits outdoor burning anywhere in Texas, and then allows exceptions for specific situations in which burning is necessary or does not pose a threat to the environment.

- Outdoor Burning in Texas, TCEQ RG-049

---

My opinion here ought to spark some debate. Maybe we do actually need rules like these to protect us. We have a history of lots of loss of life and property due to wildfires. But golly if this just isn't an example of how government exists to prohibit an otherwise free behavior.

OP, my recommendation would be to contact your local authority and ask for a determination if you don't want to risk their unwelcomed involvement in your otherwise personal matters.

---

Please understand, this is the only for the State. Each county, can then. add and define other restrictions. One definition of the law does not fit all counties. As an example, in Mason County, charcoal fires are prohibited. Burn bans are in place for a reason. Please follow the law for all our safety. VFDs have enough to worry about.

Just like differences between states. Cocaine and meth? Cool in California, but not so much here.

I hate how rules and laws can vary so much from state to state, county to county and even town to town. Need less regulation on a bullet point level.

You got a fire pit, use it.
WTF

Any enclosed space with a vent that is finely grated is typically acceptable. The question primarily is if YOU can use it without starting a wildfire or drawing undue attention to yourself that you might. If so, nobody is going to care.

An old pit and some 1/4 inch hardware cloth or fine expanded metal grating should do. Or a drum, or some cinder bricks and a tin sheet as a feed door, as long as you can arrange a finely grated smoke exit and a fully contained burn chamber.

You want no escaping coals, sparks, or cinders.