A small-town fireworks show in Briggs that has brought the community together since 2019 could be in jeopardy due to a looming transmission line project that could cut through northern Burnet County.

The Briggs and Oakalla Community Fireworks Show, which takes place annually on the Fourth of July, was created by resident Darian Stern and wife Joanna after the local Briggs Volunteer Fire Department shut down. The couple hoped that the show would serve as a binder for the farflung rural communities. 

Now, a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line spanning from Bell County to Schleicher County spearheaded by energy firm Oncor may disrupt the tradition, as one of the potential routes for the line could cut through the fireworks show’s grounds.

“Under Oncor’s current transmission line proposal, route link G31 cuts directly through tract 2168—the very grounds at Faurie’s End of the Trail where hundreds of our families gather every year for the Briggs & Oakalla Community Fireworks,” Stern said.

The 200-plus-mile transmission line would come with 190-foot electrical towers and 200-foot land easements along its length, which Stern said would force the show to be cancelled due to “mandatory explosive fallout zones and high-voltage arc hazards,” not being allowed within the easements.

“Oncor’s preliminary desktop study labeled this land as ‘vacant, unimproved pasture,’” he said. “That is flat wrong.”

According to Stern, due to several additional safety regulations, “no other viable public site exists in the Briggs/Oakalla area to host this event.”

In response to the route’s potential effects on the tradition, Stern submitted a filing on Oct. 18 on behalf of the Briggs and Oakalla Community Fireworks Show with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which is currently reviewing the line for approval. Stern requested “link G31 be completely removed from consideration.”

Oncor spokesman Andrew Clark sent the following in regards to the possible impacts of the transmission lines on the Briggs and Oakalla Fireworks Show:

“Oncor recognizes the potential impacts these critical transmission projects may have on landowners and communities. The 765kV transmission projects play a critical role in meeting Texas’ current and future electric reliability needs. We appreciate the Public Utility Commission of Texas’ ongoing review and remain committed to participating fully in the regulatory process.”

In the filing, he cited the following as evidence for the request:

• Link G31 bisects tract 2168, cutting directly across the designated launch grounds and spectator assembly area of the annual Briggs/Oakalla Community Independence Day Celebration. 

• This civic event has operated continuously at this specific parcel since 2019, serving as a primary gathering for hundreds of rural families across southern Bell and northern Burnet counties.

• Due to mandatory safety clearances, required explosive fallout radiuses away from surrounding residences, highway sightlines, and necessary proximity to the fire department for fire-watch apparatus, no other viable public site exists in the Briggs/Oakalla area to host this event.

• Constructing a 765-kV transmission line carrying 155- to 190-foot structures and a 200-foot right-of-way easement directly through this parcel will permanently extinguish this community tradition due to high-voltage arc-flashover risks, projectile collision hazards, and standard utility safety restrictions prohibiting large public gatherings and ignition sources within extra-high-voltage easements.

Stern added that the link could disrupt emergency response and medevac airspace in the area, creating potential hazards for medical evacuation helicopters.

The broader Bell County to Schleicher County transmission line is currently in limbo as state reviews occur. Read more about the most recent developments here.

caden@thepicayune.com