Tarrant County enacts outdoor-burning ban

Tarrant County issued a burn ban Tuesday, but relief from the dry spell could come Wednesday, when the forecast includes a 60 percent chance of rain.

The ban, which prohibits all outdoor burning in Tarrant County, is in effect for 90 days. According to a statement from the county, the Texas A&M Forest Service determined that the unincorporated parts of Tarrant County are in “drought conditions.”

Violating the ban is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500.

Officials at the National Weather Service in Fort Worth also issued a high fire danger alert for North Central Texas on Tuesday as dry air, south winds of 15 mph and high temperatures could spark grass fires.

There’s a 40 percent chance of rain in the Metroplex on Wednesday afternoon, 60 percent that night and 40 percent Thursday. The chance increases toward the Red River.

“The best chances of rain will be in the afternoon and nighttime,” said meteorologist Ted Ryan at the Fort Worth office. “The rain will be arriving with the cold front, and there should be some rain behind the front.”

Rainfall will be scattered in North Texas, and forecasters say residents should see a half-inch or more where showers and storms form.

The front arrives as dry weather engulfs Texas. On July 2, only 16 counties had burn bans. By Monday, that number topped 100, according to the weather service.

Tuesday marked 42 days without rain in the Metroplex, according to the weather service. The record, set in 2000, is 55.

Waco set a city record Monday with 48 dry days, eclipsing a mark established in 1918. Waco hit 49 days without rain Tuesday.

The city has a chance to go a few more days without rain, forecasters said late Tuesday.

On Wednesday, daytime highs will be in the mid-90s, but residents should feel the north winds. On Thursday, the high will be in the lower 80s.

This story was originally published August 18, 2015 at 10:41 AM with the headline "Tarrant County enacts outdoor-burning ban."