The US Forest Service requires campfire permits when camping outside of developed campgrounds, i.e., where there are no fire rings, etc. The following is a link to get one such permit online, free of charge, after taking a ridiculously simple, four question quiz:
Campfire Permit Page - Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument
In light of the fact that portions of Texas have been under draught conditions frequently during recent decades, and possibly will be even more so in future decades (if global warming/climate change trends continue), I think it would be a good thing for Texas Parks & Wildlife to implement a fire safety program, of some sort. The folks who use our parks range from the highly experienced and responsible to the brain dead, and as others have mentioned, it only takes one idiot to spoil everything for everyone.
Why not have an online fire safety/permit program? The page at the link above is perhaps a bit too succinct. I would expand it a bit, add a short video to drive home the importance of fire safety, i.e., illustrating the devestating impact of unplanned forest fires, and how long it takes such forests to recover, and also demonstrating simple, fire safety practices. I think the quiz could be a little more comprehensive, perhaps 10 - 15 questions, and then an annual permit issued. The parks could also have short, fire safety/permitting classes daily, say scheduled at 3:00 p.m., or some other time convenient to the rangers, for those who don't plan ahead and take the online course. This could even be done by setting up a TV/DVD player and have folks watch the video and take the quiz. Again, I would do this at a preset time of day so rangers aren't trying to deal with fire safety permits at crunch times (Friday evenings) when gobs of people are checking-in. Those who don't plan ahead, just don't get to have a fire on Friday evening. At least their permits would then be good for a year, once they do complete the training.
By having such a course required for fires, even in fire rings/BBQ pits, perhaps the bureaucrats would feel more comfortable giving local park officials authority to make decisions about whether or not to allow campfires in the face of burnbans. Yes this would require a little more work on the part of park personnel, but I think it would be worthwhile, and not that expensive. Like they do in national forests, they could impose hefty fines for violating the rules, which could defray the expense. They also could require a nominal fee for taking the onsite course, thereby encouraging folks to take the free online course.
Heck, if the powers-that-be would go for such a thing, I'd even be willing to help develop the course, though I suspect it would have more of an impact to have bonafide rangers in uniforms be the instructors in the video.
JohnK