It’s a waiting game to see if citizens of Erath County will be able to light any of their own fireworks this weekend after a nod of approval was given by the county commissioners to potentially place a 60-hour ban on selling or using any fireworks.
Because of extreme drought conditions, commissioners gave the ‘go ahead’ to Emergency Manager Cyndi Smith and Fire Marshal Tommy Shelton to issue an emergency disaster declaration that would allow them to issue allow a 60-hour ban on the sale or use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the county.
The ban would permit a local disaster declaration to prohibit the use or sale of all fireworks targeting a 60-hour window determined by the commissioners. Discussions included the possibility of implementing the ban starting Saturday, July 2 and ending at midnight on July 4.
This ban would not affect any professional firework displays such as Stephenville’s firework event slatted for 10 p.m. July 4.
The county will continue to monitor fire and weather behaviors throughout the week to see if implementing the disaster declaration is needed.
Shelton advised the court that all firework stands had pulled aerial fireworks listed as “rockets with sticks and missiles with fins” from stands voluntarily and many have decided to only open July 1-4, to aid in public safety.
“If it hurts our business, so be it,” Blake Williams, of Matt and Blake’s Fireworks LLC, via a phone interview with the Citizen. “A fire is the last thing I want to see.”
This year marks the first time the firework company isn’t open on June 24 for selling in 16 years, but for Williams public safety is more important than making a profit, he said.
“Communities matter more than profit,” he said.
If the disaster declaration is issued, anyone using or selling fireworks in the county will be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 or a sentence of up to 180 days in jail.
“This is a good plan we can have in our back pocket,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Albert Ray said.
Shelton explained the court looked at putting a firework ban in place but according to state laws, bans except for burn bans or emergency disaster declarations, must be implemented 10 days before the start of selling season, or June 15. Counties must also have reached 525 on the drought index by that date, which Erath County had not.
“We are currently at 603,” Shelton said.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Joe Brown expressed concern and frustration with the firework lobby in Austin stating they had one of the largest lobbies in the state placing political pressure.
“We can’t just ban fireworks,” he said. “We would get sued.”
Commissioners encouraged residents to attend the city’s firework show and donate the money they would have spent on fireworks to area volunteer fire departments who are in desperate need of funds because of an increase in fires.
The regular burn ban also remains in place for the county, however, it does not impact fireworks since it is a different portion of state law.
Fireworks are not permitted in the city limits of Stephenville or Dublin.
For the city of Dublin, there will be a zero tolerance for igniting fireworks inside the city limits.
“If our officers catch someone lighting fireworks, they will be written a citation and seize the rest of your fireworks,” Police Chief Cameron Ray said. “Repeat offenders may receive a trip to the Erath County Jail.”
Citations can be up to $500.
“Our volunteer fire departments are tired and deserve a chance to enjoy their holiday too instead of fighting another fire,” he said.
Independence Day events
Let’s Party Like it’s 1776!
(Stephenville City Park – July 4)
9 a.m. parade
Noon to 10 p.m. Food vendors
Noon to 3 p.m. Lawnmowers races
4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mr. P’s Inflatables
7:30 p.m. Courtney Patton
8:15 p.m. Larry Joe Taylor and Lee Roy Parnell
10 p.m. Fireworks display
Hamilton County 4 th of July Celebration
Pecan Creek Park – 5 p..m. Sunday, July 3
All events are free Hot dogs, face painting, bounce houses and live
Hot dogs, face painting, bounce houses and live music. Fireworks at dark.