 "Photo: Buddy Burkhalter")
Central Texans may notice an unusually dark sky this Fourth of July weekend.
Because of a drought across the region, many counties have banned the use and sale of aerial fireworks for this year's Independence Day celebrations.
Austin and Round Rock, as well as Travis and Burnet counties, have had bans on aerial firework for several years. But in June Williamson and Hays counties passed county-wide bans for the first time because of dry conditions, said Pete Baldwin, Travis County's emergency management coordinator.
"The bottom line is that we know we are short on rainfall, so we have to be especially careful this year," Baldwin said.
He said the bans prohibit winged and bladed rockets and fireworks that lift off the ground.
The Texas Pyrotechnic Association delayed the legal sale of fireworks across the state this year until July 1 because Travis, Burnet, Williamson and Hays counties have burn bans in effect, Baldwin said. The normal time period for selling fireworks is June 24 to July 4.
In order to set off fireworks in Austin, individuals must have a copy of a pyrotechnic operator license, a public display permit issued by the Austin fire marshal, an approved list of fireworks that will be used and an approved site plan of the grounds where the firework display will be held.
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District declared this June as one of the driest and warmest on record for the South Central Texas region.
Austin would need month-long steady rains, with a quarter inch of precipitation per day, to provide enough moisture to break the drought conditions, said Joe Baskin, a National Weather Service forecaster.
"There's really no end to the drought at this point in sight," Baskin said.
Troy Kimmel, a geography senior lecturer and KEYE meteorologist, said prolonged dryness during the summer in Texas is normal and that Texans should not expect a decrease in temperatures until mid-September.
The next opportunity for rainfall is a 20-percent chance for Sunday and Monday, Kimmel said.
Each year, there are hundreds of brush, grass and structure fires across the state started by fireworks. Nationally, there is an average of more than 10,000 injuries and millions of dollars worth of damage per year caused by fireworks, according to a report released by the Austin Fire Department.
"The emergency service districts will be fully staffed, and we will continue taking every precaution that we can," said Travis County Fire Marshal Brad Beauchamp.
It is illegal to possess, sell or use fireworks in Austin and within 5,000 feet of the the city limits, according to a city of Austin ordinance. Possession or illegal use of fireworks in Austin can result in a $248 fine. However, burn ban violations are considered a Class C misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $500.
Austin residents can report non-emergency firework violations by calling 311.
Guide to festivities
Permitted in Austin: • Snakes, GlowWorms • Smoke devices • Wire sparklers • Trick Noisemakers Not permitted in Austin: • Aerial fireworks with fins and wings
Places to watch fireworks: • Carlos 'n Charlie's - Thursday; fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
• H-E-B Austin Symphony Concert & Fireworks -Friday; Auditorium Shores at the Long Center at 8:30 p.m.
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