Eastland County lifted its countywide burn ban on Oct. 27, 2026, ending a ban that had been in place since mid August. The change comes about six weeks after the Lobo Fire burned roughly 625 acres north of Cisco. For landowners around Eastland, Cisco, Ranger and Rising Star who have brush piles waiting, Lee, Lee & Puckitt, the ranch Broker out of San Angelo, has put together what the change means and what has not changed.
What the Lobo Fire Showed
KTXS reported in mid September that the Lobo Fire started near U.S. Highway 183 and County Road 155 north of Cisco. It was first estimated at about 100 acres and grew to an estimated 625 acres before crews reached 50 percent containment. Aircraft dipped water from Lake Leon and Lake Cisco, and the Cisco, Olden and Eastland fire departments worked the fire with the sheriff’s office, DPS and the Texas A&M Forest Service. Highway 183 was partly closed for a time.
Fires like that are a reminder of how fast cured grass and cedar carry fire in the Cross Timbers, and how much a good firebreak or a well kept ranch road is worth.
The Ban Is Off, but the Ground Is Still Dry
Texas A&M Forest Service data shows no countywide burn ban for Eastland County as of Oct. 28. The ban had been in effect from Aug. 14 to Oct. 27. Even so, the weekly drought map still showed about 97 percent of the county in drought. State outdoor burning rules from TCEQ still apply, and cities and fire districts can set their own rules.
Before you light a brush pile:
- Check the forecast for wind and humidity, and burn on calm mornings.
- Clear a wide break around the pile down to bare dirt.
- Keep water, a shovel and a second person on hand.
- Let the fire department know if your county or local rules ask for notice.
- Stay with the fire until it is fully out.
Brush Work Pays Off
For many Eastland County ranches, fall is the season for clearing mesquite and cedar. Cleared pastures carry more grass, make a place easier to hunt and work, and give buyers a better look at the land. Prescribed fire is also a strong management tool when it is planned with a burn plan and trained help.
Eastland County Land
Eastland County sits between Abilene and the Metroplex along Interstate 20, and its mix of grazing, hunting and lake country draws buyers from both directions. Well managed brush, sound fences and good firebreaks are features that help a ranch here stand out.
Work With Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Whether you are clearing land to sell or looking for a place in the Cross Timbers, call Lee, Lee & Puckitt at 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com to see our North Texas listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a burn ban in Eastland County right now? Texas A&M Forest Service data showed no countywide ban as of Oct. 28, 2026, after the ban was lifted Oct. 27. Confirm with the county before burning, since bans can return quickly.
How big was the Lobo Fire? KTXS reported it at an estimated 625 acres north of Cisco in mid September 2026.
Is Eastland County still in drought? Yes. About 97 percent of the county was in drought on the most recent weekly drought map cited by fire tracking sites.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Lee, Lee & Puckitt is a family of ranchers who also sell ranches. The firm has handled farm and ranch real estate since 1962 and serves buyers and sellers across Texas and New Mexico from its San Angelo office.
Sources
- KTXS, “Lobo Fire in Eastland County burns 625 acres; 50% contained,” Sept. 16, 2026
- Burn Ban Texas and BurnDates, Eastland County burn ban status from Texas A&M Forest Service data, Oct. 28, 2026
- Related: North Texas listings, Farm and Ranch News
Photo: Renegomezphotography, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Downtown_Cisco_Texas.jpg). Cropped.
