A burn ban has been issued for Bastrop County beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday, according to the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management.

County Judge Paul Pape has issued a declaration of disaster with a threat of wildfires and an emergency order prohibiting outdoor burning, the OEM said. The order also applies to the unincorporated areas of Bastrop County.

Hot, dry conditions have led to an elevated fire risk in the region. On Wednesday, firefighters battled three fires along FM 535 near the Bastrop-Travis county line. Bastrop County ESD1 Assistant Fire Chief George Priest said a lack of rainfall throughout portions of Central Texas in recent weeks had made conditions prime for fire.

On Thursday, temperatures are expected to rise to a high around 96 with a heat index of 103, according to the National Weather Service.

A burn ban has also been issued for Travis County.

A burn ban 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, officials said.