ORDER BANNING OPEN FIRES PROHIBITION OF OUTDOOR BURNING
WHEREAS, in accordance with provisions of Chapter 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the undersigned as County Judge of Panola County, Texas hereby finds and declares that a state of disaster exists in Panola County based on the imminent threat of disaster from wild fire; and
WHEREAS, the normal danger of fire in Panola County at this time is greatly enhanced by the unusual deficit in normal precipitation levels for Panola County at this time;
BE IT THEREFORE ORDERED for the following seven (7) days the following emergency regulations are hereby established for all unincorporated areas of Panola County, Texas, with this Order being in effect until further Order of the Commissioners' Court of Panola County, Texas;
A. All outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Panola County with the exception of burning activities related to public health and safety authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and outdoor cooking only in enclosed pits or grills.
B. An offense under this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine up to $500.00.
BE IT ALSO ORDERED that this Order may be enforced by any duly commissioned peace officer and that the venue for prosecution of violations of this Order will be in Panola County, Texas.
BE IT ALSO ORDERED that the purpose of this Order is the mitigation of the hazard posed by wild fires during the current dry weather by curtailing the practice of outdoor burning, which purpose is to be taken into account in any enforcement action based upon this Order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Order is entered this 24th day of February, 2026, at 11:15 o'clock a.m.
Rodger G. McLane, Panola County Judge