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The county bans personal aerial fireworks for the 4th due to conditions. File photo
The almost-constant 100-degree temperatures, the continuous rise of a key weather index, plus not one drop of rain during recent days has promoted Burnet County Commissioners to ban the sale and use of “restricted fireworks” until further notice.
Since their most recent meeting earlier this month, the commissioners have found “the normal danger of fire in the unincorporated areas of Burnet County is greatly enhanced by the extremely dry conditions now existing.”
Earlier this month, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index mean average for the county appeared at 518. However, during recent days, the KBDI figure soared to where it measured at 576 earlier this week.
KBDI is managed by the Texas A&M University Forest Service. It relies on data collected daily from several sources to measure drought conditions and determine forest fire potential.
Because of critical fire danger, fireworks which resemble “missiles withfins” and “skyrockets with sticks” are restricted from sale and use through all county unincorporated areas, according to the ban order.
The order does not bar common, small fireworks classified as “C explosives” nor does the order prohibit Class B explosives or “large fireworks designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration or detonation.”
As such, traditional night-time displays of fireworks July 4 at Horseshoe Bay and Marble Falls can still be held.
“The order has no affect on professional displays,” Development Services Director Herb Darling told The Highlander June 22.
However, officials still urge “any use of fireworks should be done with caution.” All permitted fireworks must be ignited near a water source and areas without combustible vegetation. Supervisors must make sure all combustible materials are extinguished after fireworks are detonated.
And, they are advised to pay attention to both current and predicted wind speeds and direction.
The city of Granite Shoals, which has allowed use of fireworks within the city limits issued a ban June 23 on aerial fireworks, in conjunction with a burn ban.
Due to the conditions, controlled burning outdoors is also prohibited in Burnet County and Llano County.
Associate Editor Connie Swinney contributed to this report.
"The order has no affect on professional displays."
— Herb Darling Development Services Director