On Droughts, Burn Bans, and When Is It Just Too Dry to Shoot Fireworks
Many people are unfamiliar with rules as they relate to fireworks in Texas. This is understandable as most people only shoot off fireworks once a year. What follows is an attempt to give some guidance on shooting fireworks in Texas.
First off, the law. In Texas, fireworks are regulated (largely) at the state level. The state determines the selling season, what types of fireworks can be generally sold, and rules concerning the structures fireworks can be sold out of. Individual cities have the right to ban the sale and use of fireworks within city limits. In Texas, virtually all cities prohibit the sale and use of fireworks.
A law was passed in 1996, however, that gave individual counties the authority to ban the sale of certain types of fireworks if certain conditions are met. If, by mid-June, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is above 575 in a given county, that county can ban the sale of stick rockets and missiles with fins. (The current KBDI can be found at http://sslarcims.tamu.edu/website/kbdi/viewer.htm). To the best of my knowledge, no county in North Central Texas had a KDBI greater than 575 by mid-June this year, and thus, no county has prohibited the sale of stick rockets or missiles with fins.
In 2006, Governor Perry issued an executive order relating to emergency declarations. Fireworks are not mentioned in this declaration. The sale of anything is not mentioned in this declaration. However, some counties have (successfully) used this executive order to ban the sale and use of all fireworks when they feel it is prudent to do so.
At the time of this writing (23 June 2011), to the best of my knowledge, the only county in North Central Texas to use the executive order for the 2011 July 4th fireworks season is Parker county. They have banned the shooting of fireworks in the county (though not the sale of fireworks in the county).
On Burn Bans. Some counties will, from time to time, issue burn bans. A burn ban relates to outdoor burning. Burn bans do not specifically affect the use of fireworks. Now if your area has enacted a burn ban, you should take special care when shooting off fireworks. Make sure that any grass that could be exposed to fireworks is cut short. Have a garden hose handy. You also might consider not shooting off stick rockets or missiles with fins. These items have a tendency to travel a great distance (and not always vertically like artillery shells or cakes).
If, when shooting fireworks, you do start a small fire, your best defense is usually to simply have a couple of people go stomp the fire out. WEAR OLD TENNIS SHOES. If the fire is less than 12 inches tall, it is no match for a couple pair of active feet.
If you are concerned about it being too dry to shoot fireworks in your area, I would recommend you view the Keetch-Byrum Drought Index (KBDI). It is updated daily and can be found at http://sslarcims.tamu.edu/website/kbdi/viewer.htm. You can use the “zoom in” feature to zoom in on your neck of the woods. Then you can use the “identify” button to select the county you live in. That button will give you the maximum, minimum, and average KBDI value for that county.
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