By Megan Wehring
HAYS COUNTY – Only certain fireworks will be allowed for the upcoming July 4 holiday due to current drought conditions.
On June 7, the Hays County Commissioners Court adopted an order under Section 352.051 of the Texas Local Government Code – which prohibits the sale or use of restricted fireworks, defined as "skyrockets with sticks" and "missiles with fins", in the unincorporated area of Hays County. This also allows for the expiration of the order if the Hays County fire marshal determines that drought conditions no longer exist prior to the end of the sales period for the July 4 fireworks season.
The county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), which measures drought conditions, was sitting at 536 at the time of the June 7 court meeting. Fire Marshal Mark Wobus explained that he expects it to keep increasing within the next few weeks.
“Looking back over the days without rain and the days prior to that without rain,” Wobus said, “we gain about eight to 10 points each day that we are dry. I do expect that by June 15 and/or the sales date beginning June 24, we will be at 575 or well above.”
Wobus clarified that businesses will still be able to sell fireworks, as long as they are not the sticks and fins. Cities will still be able to host fireworks displays within the city limits – Wobus said that any displays in unincorporated areas can be looked at on an individual basis.
“If the displays are inside the city limits, then each city council will need to address that under their code,” Wobus said.
