Panola County issued an emergency ban on outdoor burning — the only area county so far to take that step.
"Based on the conditions with the wind, even though we’ve had some rain, the vegetation is dry enough that any fire could be hazardous," Gregg County spokesman Cpl.
Joshua Tubb said.
"We are asking folks not to do any outside burning."
"We’ve had 10 since Monday afternoon, nine of which were the result of outdoor burning that got away from people," he said.
One of those fires took out two buildings, Lake said.
Flatwoods Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jerry Coxan said his department on Tuesday had responded to two fires that burned about 18 acres overall.
Both of those fires ended up jumping over roads, Coxan said.
Lake cautioned Panola County residents about outdoor burning, even if it seems an unnecessary precaution.
"The wind just has it dried out, and it’s just dangerous."