The local TV and radio news has mentioned severe fire danger in about 10 counties in the Brazos Valley with the Texas Forest Service and county officials advising to not burn anything,

Coming back from Madisonville the contractor where they are widening Hwy 21 has about 10 large piles of trees and brush all billowing smoke and ashes into the air,

Do contractors normally just ignore any fire risk advisories?

I noticed the same thing (a bit west of North Zulch on Hwy 21) at the end of October. When I checked, Madison County didn't have an official Burn Ban issued IIRC, but I was surprised as well.

b0ridi said:

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I noticed the same thing (a bit west of North Zulch on Hwy 21) at the end of October. When I checked, Madison County didn't have an official Burn Ban issued IIRC, but I was surprised as well.

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Madisonville is under our burn ban,

Youd have to ask for a copy of the burn ban from your commissioner's court but there's often exceptions for construction.

woodiewood1 said:

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b0ridi said:

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I noticed the same thing (a bit west of North Zulch on Hwy 21) at the end of October. When I checked, Madison County didn't have an official Burn Ban issued IIRC, but I was surprised as well.

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Madisonville is under our burn ban,

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https://www.co.madison.tx.us/

Burn ban lifted on 10/27/2025 according to the banner message on this page. I drove through after the 27th.

Construction is often excluded from burn bans because of the presence of water trucks and dozers to manage the fires.

I have no specific information on this case.

Madison county lifted the burn ban after they got 5 inches of rain or whatever it was. But hey, facts and stuff.

As did Robertson. The same day Brazos extended theirs another 60 days.

Regardless, it's still too windy and dry to burn, IMO. The rain in the forecast this weekend should greatly improve conditions.