Burn ban potential for Taylor County ahead of Independence Day festivities

TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – Triple digits are continuing throughout the Big Country, making conditions dry ahead of the 4th of July holiday, and some are concerned that a burn ban may be put into effect ahead of the festivities known to bring fireworks.

Firework season began June 24, with several stands opening for Independence Day. Caleb Smith, owner of BoomBah Fireworks, told KTAB/KRBC he has already seen more people excited about this season.

“The audience that we have here is better, and this is only day two, but we’ve seen a good, good amount of customers so far,” Smith said. “Whenever we had the Mesquite Heat fire , and conditions were- were worse then, and because of that, you know, a lot of times you don’t see as many people come to the stand. Last year we had a great amount of rain and this year we’re pretty close to the same amount of rain that we had last year, not quite as much.”

Because of the good rainfall for the year and a surplus during the beginning of June, water levels seem to be okay in Taylor County. Be that as it may, Chief Gary Young of ECCA Volunteer Fire Department said it won’t last very long.

“Today we’re marginal on the fireworks and the safety involved in that. But the next 7 to 10 days with triple digits that we’re going to see is really going to change the environment, integrations, integration, and the fuel that’s out there,” explained Chief Young.

With dead grass, fuel for wildfires, Chief Young said he was concerned for recklessness with fireworks on the 4th of July.

“Our grasses have gone dormant for the year, and they have no moisture remaining in them whatsoever. They will light and they will burn very readily and promote a real big fire in a hurry, and that’s what we’re to anticipate in the next 7 to 10 days,” Chief Young added with concern.

Chief Young said he hopes to get a burn ban on Taylor County days before the holiday when the Taylor County Commissioners will meet.

Currently across the Big Country; Brown, Coke, Eastland, Fisher, Mitchell, Nolan, Shackelford, Stonewall, Throckmorton counties are under Burn Bans .

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