02/15/2026
Milam County was fortunate to receive some much-needed rain yesterday with most of the County seeing 0.25"-0.5" of total rainfall. While this provided temporary relief overnight, we expect to see rapid drying of surface fuels today and into the week. There are no current plans to lift the burn ban in the days ahead. During the winter, as surface fuels become "freeze cured", they no longer transport moisture from their roots up to the above ground portions of the plant. This means they burn very easily and fires can spread rapidly. Outdoor fires and burning remain illegal at this time.
The Milam County Fire Marshal's Office along with the Milam County Sheriff’s Office responded to a non-permitted mass gathering last night with 5000+ attendees. The event released thousands of burning "Sky Lanterns". While we agree they provide an incredible visual backdrop for concert attendees, releasing uncontrolled burning objects into the night sky presents a number of safety challenges and these Sky Lanterns are specifically prohibited under the Milam County Fire Code: 308.1.7 Sky Lanterns "A person shall not release or cause to be released an unmanned free-floating device containing an open flame or other heat source, such as but not limited to a sky lantern."
Citations were issued to those promoting and managing the event for violating the Burn Ban, releasing Sky Lanterns, and Failure to Obtain a Mass Gathering Permit.
It is critical when considering hosting a mass gathering to obtain a Mass Gathering Permit. A mass gathering is any assembly of more than 1000 people. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that promoters have adequate plans in place to provide medical coverage and fire protection for the attendees, along with adequate security, traffic control, and basic public hygiene such as enough toilets and handwash stations. Additionally, this planning process gives us critical information to ensure that we are able to adequately increase public safety resources in the surrounding community to answer the increased volume of 911 calls for assistance that inherently arise with such a massive increase in traffic and persons in the area. Milam County strives to be a collaborative partner in making these events a success, however we have to know they are occurring to be able to plan in advance. If you desire to host one of these events on your property, please reach out and we will assist you in the planning process with securing a permit and meeting with the necessary stakeholders.
Under Texas Health and Safety Code 751.011 - A person may not promote a mass gathering without a permit, this is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, confinement in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or both.
