Williamson County residents are encouraged to play it safe with holiday fireworks, as December and January weather conditions could increase the threat of fires and spreading flames.
While the county remains under a burn ban enacted on Dec. 4 by the county Commissioners Court, state law dictates the region's soil is not dry enough to ban fireworks. According to Jarred Thomas, Williamson County Emergency Management specialist, under the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, fireworks cannot be banned unless soil dryness is rated at 575 or higher. As of Dec. 11, the county is at 564.
Despite being unable to completely ban fireworks, the commissioners decided during their Dec. 11 meeting to work with fireworks vendors to spread the word on fire and firework safety. The Texas Pyrotechnic Association has voluntarily decided not to sell missiles with fins and sky rockets with sticks, as they pose the greatest fire danger.
The county is also advocating the following precautions when using fireworks this holiday season:











