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Weather / Wildfire / Drought

Drought and Wildfire Are Routine Hazards in Borden County

Borden County averages under 20 inches of rain per year and is regularly affected by drought, which raises wildfire risk across the county's grass and mesquite rangeland.

Borden County The Great Outdoors

Borden County is in the southern High Plains. It gets about 19 inches of rain per year on average. Drought is common. The county's roughly 640 residents have dealt with drought in multiple recent years. Drought.gov tracks current drought conditions by county. In 2020, the USDA named Borden County a primary natural disaster area because of drought damage to crops and livestock.

When the land is dry, grass fires can spread fast. Winds from the west and southwest push flames quickly across open rangeland. The Texas A&M Forest Service tracks fire danger statewide. The governor has activated emergency resources for West Texas wildfire threats in the Panhandle, Permian Basin, and nearby areas. Borden County may issue burn bans when fire danger is high. Check with the county judge's office before burning any debris or range grass.

If you are buying or moving to rural Borden County, check that your homeowners insurance covers wildfire and at what limits. Power outages can last longer in sparsely populated counties because there are fewer electrical crews nearby. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) keeps disaster resources and local contacts at tdem.texas.gov.

Source to confirm: Drought.gov — Borden County Conditions

More Borden County notes

Property tax

Homestead Exemption Lowers Your Property Tax Bill in Borden County

Homeowners who live in their Borden County property as their primary residence can file a one-time homestead exemption application to reduce their taxable value and cap future appraisal increases.

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Agricultural valuation

Agricultural Valuation Can Sharply Cut Land Taxes on Borden County Ranches

Borden County landowners who ranch, farm, or manage wildlife can apply to pay taxes on what the land produces rather than what it would sell for.

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Oil & gas / Mineral rights

Oil and Gas Activity in Borden County Means Mineral Rights Matter

Borden County has produced oil since 1949 and falls within Railroad Commission District 8A, so buyers of rural land should check whether mineral rights are included in a sale or have already been severed.

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Water / Groundwater

Borden County Has No Groundwater Conservation District — Well Rules Are Minimal

Borden County does not have a local groundwater conservation district, which means there are no local permits required to drill a water well, but the county sits in a drought-prone area where groundwater levels in the Ogallala Aquifer have been declining for decades.

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