A rash of grass fires this weekend has prompted Orange County to implement a burn ban.

Brian Burns tells us other Southeast Texas counties are joining 150 others statewide to stop the spread of accidental wildfires.

Its a new sign of the times for Orange County residents.

The red and white flag is flying high over four Orange County facilities as a reminder for residents that a burn ban is now in place.

Jeff Kelley, Orange County Emergency Management director says, "There were ten wildfires this weekend throughout the county this week. It's been dry off and on for months and now it's coming to a head."
Just like the Mauriceville fires this weekend, hundreds of acres of local grasslands have gone up in smoke because of wildfires.
 
While officials say most were the result of trash fires getting out of control, Orange County commissioners say dry conditions have left them no choice.

Kelley says "Most people don't realize with this light breezes we're having, even at 3 to 5 miles an hour, they don't realize how fast a fire can get beyond their control."

According to the state forest service at Texas A&M, 150 counties had instituted a burn ban as of Monday morning.

Orange and Jefferson Counties have also declared burn bans bringing the number to 152.

Fire officials say this is the result of one man's debris fire getting out of hand. he lost his shed but it could as easily have been his house.

Fire chief for Orange County's Emergency Services District number 1 says the fire danger continues to grow. "It's too dry. The fire's we've been fighting have been whipped up into burning several acres in a hurry."

Kelley says, "Most people also don't realize if they start a fire that gets out of control, they're liable for damages to a neighbor's property."

And residents should realize that for now, burning is illegal.

To see the state's burn ban map, click here.