Hays County Fire Marshal implements new Open Burning Permit System

The Hays County Fire Marshal has put a new system for Open Burning Permits into place in unincorporated areas of the county.

Residents can receive free open burn permits using the new registration process. According to Fire Marshal Nathan Mendenhall, permit submissions are reviewed in real-time with the exception of weekends.

“It’s a system that allows folks to go online, type in their permit, apply for it, it’s free,” Mendenhall said.

The new system also comes with a number of new features to further assist those aiming to obtain their permit. Individuals are now notified if there is a burn ban in place or a “Red Flag” day and burning is not allowed.

“It’s a notification system to let them know that even though they’ve got a permit, they’ve applied for a permit, that conditions have changed and they’re not allowed to burn that day,” Mendenhall said. “Or if they haven’t applied for a permit yet, it won’t allow them to apply if there’s a burn ban going on.”

Burn ban permits are valid for up to seven days. Once registered, residents will activate the permit online each day they want to burn during the seven-day period.

“What it does is it populates a map so the fire departments can see in real-time where the permits have been issued and then who is actively burning,” Mendenhall said. “Then that way it can help mitigate, you know, responses to calls.”

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulates all open burning in Texas.

All open burning in Texas has to comply with state law. The newly implemented system allows the Fire Marshal's Office to disseminate all of the laws affiliated with open burning.

“When someone applies for the permit, we give them the brochure that describes all of the regulations and what they can burn and how it has to be,” Mendenhall said.

To register for any permit in Hays County, visit www. hayscountypermits.com. Those wishing to register can do so by signing into their login on the webpage or by creating an account by using the same link.

For additional questions and information regarding burn permits or announcements from the Fire Marshal’s office, visit www.hcfmo.com.