Commissioner Karen Huber warns residents to be cautious using fireworks

Commissioner Karen Huber warns residents to be cautious using fireworks

Saturday, 27 June 2009

Commissioner Huber issued a statement Friday urging vigilance and caution this Fourth of July while celebrating.

“This year, more than any other in our recent history, it is crucial that Central Texans use restraint when using fireworks,” said Commissioner Huber.

Counties in Texas have very little authority to ban the sale and use of fireworks.

According to Hershel Lee, Fire Marshal for Travis County, action to restrict the sale of fireworks needed to be taken prior to June 15 in order to be effective for the Fourth of July selling season, but the conditions did not meet the requirements at that time.

“Rockets with sticks and missiles with fins are the only fireworks that counties have any authority to address and must do so in a prescribed manner according to state statute,” said Lee.

In order for the Travis County Commissioners Court to have taken action by June 15, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index had to be at least 500. The drought index was inching towards 500 but did not quite reach it by that crucial deadline.

“Herein lies the problem for counties in Texas,” said Commissioner Huber. “By the time the index levels reach the benchmark for action, the action timeline requirements usually do not fit.”

During each legislative session, bills are filed that will give counties more authority to limit or ban fireworks, but Commissioner Huber stated in a press release that the pro-fireworks lobby is strong and has been able to prevent any new legislation from being enacted.

County Commissioners received a communication from Chester Davis, the president of the Texas Pyrotechnic Association, earlier this week saying that they have asked fireworks retailers to voluntarily ban the sale of rockets and fireworks with sticks and fins from being sold in Travis County during this year’s Fourth of July season.

“My understanding is that this type of agreement has worked out in the past, and I am grateful to the Texas Pyrotechnic Association for this action,” said Commissioner Huber. “Still, it is purely voluntary with no guarantee that 100 percent of retailers will comply.”

The current KBDI index is around 570 — 575 is the benchmark for “extreme to exceptional drought” designation — and by the Fourth of July it is expected to be in the mid to high 600 range.

“This is really scary – we must be exceedingly vigilant, right now. It has been a long, long time since Travis County has seen numbers this high,” said Huber. “Because of the extreme drought conditions, the high fuel loads in the rural areas and the extreme fire risk, I encourage everyone to attend one of the managed fireworks displays, like City of Austin or Lakeway, rather than risk a wildfire.”

For more information, visit www.co.travis.tx.us or www.fireworksafety.com.