Taylor County officials emphasize firework safety amid burn ban

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Taylor County Commissioners Court votes to implement a burn ban for the county while still allowing the sales of fireworks to the public.

In the interest of public safety. That’s the notion that the Taylor County Commissioners’ Court had in mind at its most recent commissioners meeting when they ultimately decided to enact a 90-day burn ban for the county. But how does a burn ban work when the sale of fireworks within the county is still approved?

Taylor County Precinct 1 Commissioner Randy Williams emphasized that timing plays a significant role in these decisions.

“Seems contradictory to be allowing fireworks but then put a burn ban on, but the problem in all of that is that we have to make a decision about fireworks so far out in advance, you have no idea what’s going to happen,” Williams explained.

While safety around fireworks will certainly be paramount with this burn ban, there are other aspects of celebrating the 4th of July that officials have cited as a risky addition to some people’s festivities. Sergeant Marc Couch of the Texas Highway Patrol outlined how those behaviors can garner some hefty consequences.

“Of course, we want to very much discourage people from shooting off firearms in celebration during the 4th of July. Every bullet that goes up has to come down somewhere. It’s just a dangerous activity and something that should not be done just for the safety of everybody involved,” Couch shared.

Couch also emphasized that law enforcement from many departments in the Big Country will be increasing their patrols during this time, where officers will be looking more closely for offences involving the mishandling of fireworks and driving while impaired.

County residents are still allowed to enjoy the festivities associated with their 4th of July celebrations. Still, there are strict rules that must be followed now that a burn ban is in effect for Taylor County.

Those rules include no shooting off fireworks inside city limits. Fireworks can be used on private property outside city limits, but only with the permission of the property owner. Additionally, shooting off fireworks on county roads or any other county property is prohibited. The county is also encouraging the public to exercise common-sense safety when using fireworks during a burn ban. This includes setting off fireworks away from tall grass, structures, or any other potential fuel source, and having proper extinguishing equipment in case a blaze were to occur accidentally.