Officials urge caution during fireworks season

Fireworks season begun in unincorporated areas of Travis County on Dec. 20.

Consumers can buy fireworks through Jan. 1, but residents cannot buy or possess fireworks within Austin city limits, according to the Travis County Fire Marshal's Office. Fireworks are not allowed in county parks.

Earlier in December, Travis County Fire Marshal Hershel Lee told the Travis County Commissioners Court he did not expect the season to be drastically dangerous.

He said there was a lot of water in the top eight inches of soil and much of the vegetation was saturated.

Average drought conditions countywide measured far below levels where the court could consider regulating so-called restricted fireworks—rockets with sticks and missiles with fins.

Lee encouraged residents to attend public displays of fireworks.