HTX-COM: Impact 10/14/2025

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough declared a local state of disaster and issued a countywide burn ban effective Oct. 14, citing rapidly worsening drought conditions and an elevated risk of wildfires, he announced in an Oct. 13 Facebook post.

What you need to know: The order, made in consultation with the County Fire Marshal and the Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, prohibits all outdoor burning not specifically permitted and inspected by the Fire Marshal’s Office, according to the resolution. Commercial land-clearing operations using air curtain incinerators must also suspend activity until receiving inspection approval.

Keough said prolonged dry weather has left local vegetation dangerously dry, warning that “even small sparks can quickly become dangerous wildfires.” 

Diving in deeper: The declaration activates the county’s emergency management plan and authorizes emergency response and recovery measures. Violations of the burn ban are punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to 180 days in jail.

The order will remain in effect until weather conditions improve and the county determines it is safe to lift restrictions.

The Links at West Fork celebrated its newly renovated golf course with a grand opening on Labor Day weekend, managing director Shawn DeFoy confirmed.

The details: The public golf course, which DeFoy said is now under new ownership and management, features newly renovated greens, an updated clubhouse, driving range, putting and chipping areas and a full-service pro shop. The Links at West Fork offers individual and corporate memberships, tournaments, lessons and special events. The clubhouse at the golf course includes a grill serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken wraps and sandwiches.

• 1 Golf Ridge Drive, Conroe

Over one year after Hurricane Beryl, 1 in 8 Houston-area residents reported their lives were still “very” or “somewhat” disrupted by Beryl, according to an Oct. 2 report from the Houston Population Research Center at the Kinder Institute.

Looking back: According to the report, Beryl caused an estimated $2.5 billion to $4.5 billion in property damage.

Quote of note: “Now, a year down the road, residents are having to grapple with the reality of repairs that are still needed, credit card bills from unexpected hotel rooms or refilling the fridge that are still unpaid, and their expectations that these things should already be resolved but they’re not,” Dan Potter, co-director of the research center and lead researcher on the survey work, said in the report.

Going forward: The Federal Emergency Management Agency has delivered the majority of its disaster aid, but there is still a gap to fill. As of early 2025, federal estimates suggested there was about $800 million in repairs needed between the destruction from Beryl and the May 2024 derecho. 

Houston First Corporation, the parent organization of the Houston Film Commission, announced Oct. 8 the launch of a new local film incentive program designed to attract film and television productions to the Houston area.

What this means: The announcement comes amid growing momentum for Houston’s film industry. Productions filmed in the region generated $27.1 million in direct spending and an $81 million economic impact in 2024, according to the Houston Film Commission.

The program offers a 10% rebate on local spending, capped at $100,000 per qualifying project, with a total of $400,000 available annually, per the news release. Officials said the initiative, the most competitive of its kind in Texas, aims to boost local job creation and strengthen Houston’s position as a film production hub.

Diving in deeper: To qualify, projects must film at least 60% of principal photography within 60 miles of downtown, spend at least $500,000 locally and hire at least 55% Texas residents as cast and crew. Houston First and the Houston Film Commission will oversee the application process.