Following the lead of Williamson and Travis counties, Bastrop County issued a burn ban Tuesday afternoon as temperatures crept toward triple digits.

The burn ban was set in place at 3 p.m. as forecasts projected a sunny, dry and hot week ahead. Temperatures are expected to hit 100 degrees in Bastrop on Thursday, then 102 degrees on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The burn ban, which was ordered by Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape, will be in effect for seven days and may be extended by the Commissioners Court, which next meets Aug. 12.

According to county officials, Bastrop County recorded an average score of 596 on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures fire potential on a 0-800 scale. The score is a seven-point increase over last week. The highest scores were recorded in the northeast corner of the county at 665.

Officials in Williamson and Travis counties this week issued burn bans as well.

The burn ban order prohibits all outdoor burning that is not done inside an enclosure that contains sparks and flames. It applies to all unincorporated areas of the county. A violation is a Class C misdemeanor that carries up to a $500 fine. Residents are asked to report any violations to the Bastrop County sheriff’s office.