About 45 fireworks stands will be operating in Travis County ahead of the Fourth of July. Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee says the Keetch-Byram Drought Index is currently at 378, and a fireworks ban requires a drought index of 575.
“We anticipate an increased number of calls this year, just because of an increased level of awareness of people because of last year’s wildfire,” Lee told Travis County commissioners this morning. He urged people to follow these safety guidelines if they use fireworks. Better yet, he said, they should just attend one of several public displays that are planned.
“Every year when consumers have fireworks, the number of fires increase in the unincorporated areas,” he said. “That’s generally due to people not using them appropriately.”
If the drought gets a lot worse between now and July 4th, the county could still declare an emergency 60-hour ban on fireworks. That ban could be extended by Governor Rick Perry. That’s exactly what happened last year.
Fireworks are illegal to use inside most cities in Travis County, including Austin. They’re also illegal to use near daycares, nursing homes and churches. For more, you can check out these state laws surrounding fireworks restrictions.
