Hays County reinstates burn ban

Jul 1 2009 - 4:02pm | DJ Nutter

An emergency order will prevent the selling and purchasing of certain fireworks this summer because of triple-digit temperatures.

Hays County Judge Liz Sumpter said the county has called for an emergency order, reinstating the burn ban as of June 23. As of June 25, the county’s fireworks suppliers have voluntarily agreed to restrict the selling and purchasing of certain fireworks, as “skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins,” said Mark Chambers, Hays County Fire Marshal.

Fireworks that fall under the state statue as unpredictable and hazardous — skyrockets and missiles — allow for the restriction of their usage by the surrounding community. The county’s mandate requires restricted fireworks to be pulled off the shelves.

“Although conditions cause for increased communal awareness, restricting the sale of all fireworks in the county will be on the table for the safety of the community, but considered a last resort,” Chambers said.

He said the Hays County Fire Department will continue to evaluate the status of drought conditions, and report findings to Judge Sumpter.
County officials said business should carry on as usual and firework vendors’ revenue should not be jeopardized. Sellers can continue to make money from the sale of unrestricted fireworks.

Several cities within Hays County have scheduled firework shows that have not been affected by either the newly reinstated burn ban or the restrictions on fireworks. The Red White ‘N Buda celebration held annually at Buda Park will have Chester Davis put on their fireworks show, according to Carolynn Schneider, office manager for the Chamber of Commerce.

“The fireworks show incorporates none of the restricted fireworks,” said Chester Davis, owner of Ches-Lee Enterprises Inc. “We have a great, gravel location to set off the fireworks as an additional precaution considering drought conditions.”

Davis owns more than 200 fireworks stands throughout Texas with six in Hays County.

“Although the dry conditions have an effect on business, the community is very knowledgeable about their individual responsibilities when they purchase any given firework,” Davis said. There is a communal understanding of the risks one takes in privately setting off fireworks, and how to properly and safely incorporate the recreation into holiday plans.

Alpha-Lee Enterprises will put on a professional fireworks show at 9:30p.m. at the Gregg-Clarke Park for the Independence Day Celebration Fireworks in Kyle

“Thus far, our event has not been affected by the burn ban, and normal regulations such as the distance of the spectators from the actual launch site of the fireworks have been met,” said Kerry Urbanowicz, City of Kyle parks director.

New fire fighter recruits from the Kyle Volunteer Fire Department recently held a training session in the field that will be used to launch the fireworks.

“With the permission of the property owner and in conjunction with city officials, the fire department pre-burned the field as a training exercise for the worst case scenario,” Urbanowicz said. “Although neighboring houses had to deal with some unusual smoke, the exercise allowed for the certainty of safety on the day of the celebration.”

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