As wildfires continue to ignite in the Central Texas area, the Travis County Commissioners Court has proclaimed a rare ban on fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county that spans through the Fourth of July holiday.

“The fire-risk conditions are the highest we’ve seen in our lifetime in Central Texas,” said Karen Huber, Travis County Commissioner for Precinct Three. “The Picayune readership area is among the most at risk because of the population density located in the midst of dense cedar-forested hills with many winding, narrow and dead-end streets.”

Emergency equipment must be able drive through or turn around before it can go down a street to fight a fire, she explained. Huber recommended all residents assess their fire risk and develop their own emergency plans.

Putting a fireworks ban in place is no easy task for the county. Legal statutes only allow a full ban by a county for 60 hours, and any extension of that ban must be by decree of Gov. Rick Perry. Perry has extended the Travis County ban to 7 a.m. on July 5. But it is highly likely that extreme drought conditions will persist past that deadline, Huber pointed out. She said that every year the highest incidences of fires caused by fireworks occur from several days before to several days after July 4.

“The most recent large fires were started by sparks and are demonstrations of how easily a simple firecracker could initiate a devastating blaze,” Huber said. “For the safety of everyone, it is imperative that we all remain careful and vigilant. Even a hot car parked over dry grass can start a fire.”

Travis County and the cities of Austin, Rollingwood and West Lake Hills are intent on strictly enforcing fireworks and burn bans during the drought conditions. The reason is obvious, said West Lake Hills mayor Dave Claunch.

“Wildfire, wildfire, wildfire,” he said.

Officials are urging anyone who sees someone using fireworks to immediately call 911.

“The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays with the traditional cookouts, watermelon and fireworks,” Huber said. “I will miss some of that tradition this year, but our safety is paramount.”

Information on wildfire risk is available on the Travis County Fire Marshal’s website at http://www.co.travis.tx.us/fire_marshal.

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