Commissioners to consider a fireworks ban
Persistent drought and fear of widespread wildfires could force a temporary halt to traditional fireworks revelry next month, Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger said Friday.
“If it (the weather) doesn’t get any better, we definitely could be looking at ban,” Klaeger added.
The Burnet County Commissioners plan to discuss the fireworks situation during their meeting Dec. 9, Klaeger said, adding she plans to talk with local fireworks vendors about weather conditions and the potential need to put a temporary ban on fireworks, including “skyrockets with sticks” and “missiles with fins.”
In addition to New Year’s Eve, the ignition of fireworks is a popular method of celebration in Texas during the Cinco de Mayo and July 4 observances each year.
However, state law stipulates the commissioners may restrict or prohibit the sale or use of fireworks “in specified areas when conditions on rural acreage in the county not under cultivation for a period of 12 months are determined to be extremely hazardous for the danger of fire because of high grass or dry vegetation.”
On the other hand, the law states the commissioners may designate one or more zones as “safe areas” where the use of fireworks is not prohibited, and “the Legislature encourages a county to designate such an area for that purpose.”
The commissioners have until Dec. 15 to decide whether to ban fireworks, Klaeger said.
During the meeting set for this Tuesday, the commissioners are expected to continue a burn ban for the unincorporated regions of the county, which has been in effect since June.
“Conditions really haven’t changed,” said County Environmental Services and Floodplain Director Herb Darling.
The average Texas Forest Service Keetch-Byram Drought Index for the county was 616 with a high of 749 Friday. KBDI measures the potential for forest fires based on daily water balance, and the highest index of 800 indicates extremely dry conditions.
Drought conditions are said to exist when the KBDI reaches 575 or more, according to state law.
At the current KBDI level for Burnet County, intense deep burning fires with “significant downwind spotting” can be expected, and live fuels can burn actively, fire experts have said.
Burnet County and 53 other counties are now under a burn ban, according the TFS Web site.
According to state weather experts, 2008 has been the driest year since 1963 and the third driest year on record. Current dry weather conditions are expected to last through much of the upcoming winter.
raymond@thepicayune.com