Just after noon Sunday Caney Creek firefighters were called to an illegal burn on Bert Brown Road in southeast Conroe. When they arrived the property owners had been burning the remains of a tree and an old mobile home. With todays winds the flames spread to nearby grass in the mobile home community. Using over 3000 gallons of water firefighter were able to extinguish the blaze. The property owner who had a small backhoe on the scene was able to dig a trench and push the remaining debris made up of an old bed, carpet and tree remains along with tires. The Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office was notified.
Montgomery County
• Montgomery County has an exception to the Outdoor Burning
Rule that differs from all other counties.
• If you live in an incorporated area, inside a city/town, also check
local ordinances before burning.
Household Refuse
• Burning of household refuse (garbage, rubbish, paper, and other
decayable and non-decayable waste, including vegetable matter
and animal and fish carcasses) is prohibited:
– On a lot that is in a neighborhood (a platted subdivision;
or property contiguous to and within 300 feet of a
platted subdivision).
– On a lot that is smaller than 5 acres.
• An offense is a Class C misdemeanor.
• Businesses may not burn household refuse.
Plant Growth
• On-site burning of trees, brush, grass, leaves branch trimmings
and other plant growth by the property owner or authorized agent
is allowed if there is no practical alternative.
• The ozone non-attainment counties in TCEQ region 12 will
generally require a practical alternative.
• Only TCEQ may determine if a practical alternative exists.
• If there is no practical alternative, then the material must be
generated from the property on which the burning occurs,
generated as a result of right-of-way maintenance or land
clearing operations or maintenance along water canals.
Crop Residue Burning
• Burning of crop residue for agricultural management purposes
is allowed when no practical alternative exists.
• Burning is subject to general requirements for allowable
outdoor burning.
• Structures containing sensitive receptors, humans and livestock
must not be negatively impacted by the burn.
• Notification to TCEQ is recommended, but not required.
YOU MUST STILL COMPLY
• If you qualify for an exception and meet the general requirements
for allowable outdoor burning, you are still subject to nuisance
conditions under the Texas Administrative Code and the Texas
Health and Safety Code.
• Punishments are created under the Texas Water Code.
• The Texas Health and Safety Code provides TCEQ with the
authority to authorize outdoor burning
