Shelby County, Texas Emergency Management

10/16/2026

Burn ban is on.

10/15/2026

A Fire Weather Watch is quite rare for our region with Gulf moisture typically abundant as observed for much of this week. However, a strong cold front will arrive on Friday and usher in very dry air along with gusty north winds, prompting the issuance of a Fire Weather Watch.

10/15/2026

Burn ban placed back on, Thursday, 10/ 15/2026.

10/15/2026

🔥⚠️ FIRE WEATHER WATCH – INCREASED WILDFIRE DANGER FRIDAY & SATURDAY ⚠️🔥

Shelby County October 15–17, 2026

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Shelby County from Friday morning through late Friday night.

A strong cold front moving through East Texas will bring gusty north winds and rapidly decreasing humidity. Combined with dry vegetation, these conditions will increase the potential for wildfires to start and spread rapidly.

🌬️ Friday, October 16 – Greatest Concern

* North winds of 10–20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph.
* Relative humidity dropping to approximately 25–40% across the region.
* Increased potential for fires to ignite and spread quickly.

🍂 Saturday, October 17 – Continued Fire Danger

* Cooler temperatures, but north winds of 10–15 mph are expected.
* Texas A&M Forest Service forecasts indicate elevated fire danger will continue across portions of East Texas.
* Residents should continue taking precautions even after the Fire Weather Watch expires.

🚫 HELP PREVENT WILDFIRES:

✅ Avoid outdoor burning, particularly Friday and Saturday.
✅ Postpone welding, mowing, and other activities that could create sparks.
✅ Keep vehicles and equipment off dry grass.
✅ Properly extinguish and dispose of ci******es.
✅ Monitor weather conditions, fire restrictions, and additional warnings.

⚠️ What is a Fire Weather Watch?

A Fire Weather Watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible.

Remember: Cooler temperatures do not necessarily mean lower wildfire danger. Strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation can create conditions where fires spread rapidly.

Please use extra caution Friday and throughout the weekend to help protect our community.

Stay Aware. Stay Prepared. Stay Informed.

📍 National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/shv/fireweather
📍 Texas A&M Forest Service: https://ticc.tamu.edu/PredictiveServices/

Fire danger ratings describe conditions that reflect the potential, over a large area, for a fire to ignite, spread, and require suppression action. Fire danger rating compares past, current, and forecasted weather. Fire danger rating is a tool designed to aid fire managers in making day-to-day deci...

10/09/2026

The Shelby County Burn Ban has been lifted.
Even though the burn ban has been lifted, we still urge everyone to use caution and take proper safety measures when burning.
Keep an eye on your fire! Never leave it
unattended.
Have a water and or extinguisher source nearby and ready to use if the fire gets out of control!
Keep burning contained!
Use a burn barrel or fire pit, especially when burning trash, to help prevent embers and debris from spreading.
Check the wind before you burn!
Avoid burning when winds are strong or conditions are dry.
Keep your burn area clear of grass, leaves,
brush, and other flammable materials.
Just because the burn ban is lifted doesn't mean fire danger is gone. One small spark can turn into a big problem quickly!
Stay safe and help us keep Shelby County safe!

10/07/2026

Yes, we are still under a burn ban. The Commissioners and Judge will meet Friday in a special meeting to discuss. They will take into consideration the whole County and what the rainfall index is for our area.

09/25/2026

East Texas Food Bank provides produce to First Baptist Church Center the last Friday of every month between 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm.
COME SEE US TOMORROW! 🥒🌽🥦🍠🧅🥕

09/17/2026

We are under a burn ban again as of today.

07/27/2026

UPDATE: We made the cut!!!! Out of 16 applicants we scored 3rd highest and will qualify. It will now be sent to the Commission for full approval! Thank you Rayford Copelin for your tireless hours spent preparing this grant. Yippee!!! 🥳

I , Luciana Barr, had the opportunity to go to Austin and speak along with Judge Allison Harbison and Commissioner Tom Bellmyer to represent Shelby County in behalf of our beautiful historic courthouse to receive funding to renovate and restore this beautiful piece of history for our county.

07/23/2026

The proximity of Tropical Storm Bertha will induce northward moisture flow today, which together with a pseudostationary boundary will help generate scattered storms this afternoon across Louisiana. Accumulations will be isolated and limited. Cloud cover and rainfall will help make a minor dent in this week's heat.