Why you can't buy certain fireworks at Central Texas stands

Because of the drought, customers won't be able to find certain types of fireworks at Central Texas stands for the Fourth of July holiday.

Vendors in Williamson and Travis counties are voluntarily not selling stick rockets or missiles with rudders or fins. People in Hays and Bastrop counties also will not be allowed to buy those types of fireworks at local stands because county commissioners used a state law to ban them.

Stick rockets and missiles with rudders or fins can travel far and cause fires when they land.  

"Williamson County is urging everyone to use extreme caution this Independence Day so that everyone has a safe holiday," County Judge Bill Gravell said in a news release.

READ: Bastrop county enacts burn ban, prohibits certain fireworks as July 4th approaches

"To that end, we have worked in collaboration with the Texas Pyrotechnics Association and American Fireworks, Williamson County’s largest retailer, to enhance fire safety through this decision to voluntarily not sell stick rockets and missiles with fins or rudders. These products pose the greatest risk of fire danger."

Stick rockets have sticks attached to their motors to help stabilize them during flight. Missiles have rudders or fins to help keep them stable. 

"It's very important for us to do the right thing now,” said Chester Davis, president of the Texas Pyrotechnics Association and owner of American Fireworks.

“We urge everyone in Williamson County to celebrate Independence Day safely and responsibly,” he said.

The season to sell fireworks for the Fourth of July lasts 11 days and started Friday. Most Texas counties have burn bans, but local officials are only allowed to limit the sale of certain types of fireworks. 

Under state law, county officials can ban the sale of stick rockets and missiles with fins or rudders by June 15 if the level of drought in their area, which is measured by the Texas A&M Forest Service's Keetch-Byram Drought Index, reaches 575 or higher. The index measures the level of moisture in soil and ranges from 0 to 800. A score of 800 means the soil has no moisture.

Bastrop County had a 584 drought index on June 15. Hay County commissioners approved their ban on June 7, when the drought index reached at least 575.

READ: Austin marks 17 days of 100 degree weather in June; sets another daily record

Davis said certain types of fireworks, including mortars, are safe to use because the sparks burn out before reaching the ground. 

Will Boettner, a wildlife mitigation officer for Travis County, said he is worried about people starting fires if they shoot off fireworks and hopes residents go to professional fireworks shows in cities or other areas.

"Because we've had so much heat, most of the vegetation is in the dying phase, and it will burn and burn severely and will threaten homes and communities," Boettner said.

Through Saturday, the Austin area had recorded 19 days of 100-degree weather this month.

Davis said many fireworks vendors had to buy their products at least a year ago and have spent millions of dollars to get them.

"We are a country that likes to celebrate," he said. "We celebrate birthdays, bar mitzvahs and Cinco de Mayo; why shouldn't we celebrate the Fourth of July?"