Burn bans remain in effect across most of North Texas, including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties, as firefighters work two new wildfires south and west of Fort Worth.
The Texas A&M Forest Service listed those metro counties among about 213 statewide burn bans as of Tuesday. The orders generally prohibit outdoor burning of brush and trash in unincorporated areas. Enclosed grills are typically allowed with restrictions. County judges can lift the bans when drought eases.
In Bosque County, about 70 to 90 miles southwest of Dallas, crews are fighting the Hydra Fire near Meridian and Clifton. FOX 4 and the Forest Service reported the grass-and-juniper blaze at about 1,000 acres and 10% contained Tuesday evening. The Dallas Morning News later cited a 10,000-acre estimate. Official Forest Service posts on X earlier Tuesday put the fire at 600 acres and 10% contained. The cause is undetermined.
Alert: Texas A&M Forest Service is responding to a request for assistance on the #RedBankFire in Parker County. The fire is an estimated 200 acres and 0% contained. #txfire pic.twitter.com/j9ubcyrAD0
— Incident Information - Texas A&M Forest Service (@AllHazardsTFS) September 15, 2026
Meridian ordered a mandatory evacuation Tuesday as the fire pushed past northern lines, the Bosque County Sheriff’s Office said. The citywide order was lifted about 9:10 p.m., but officials warned residents they could be told to leave again on short notice Wednesday. A shelter was set up, first at Meridian High School and later at the Clifton Civic Center with Red Cross support. No fatalities were reported on the Hydra Fire.
In Parker County, the Red Bank Fire burned about 207 acres of grass and oak west of Horseshoe Bend near the Brazos River and was 70% contained Tuesday night, the Forest Service told NBC 5. InciWeb lists the start as Tuesday afternoon near Red Bank Road, about eight miles east of Lipan. Dozers worked the west flank and water the east. An aerial attack slowed the fire. Homes were nearby; NBC 5 said no evacuations were ordered Tuesday night. The cause is under investigation.
The Forest Service warned of continued dry fuels and elevated fire potential across North Texas this week.
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