UPDATED: What's up with Big Country fireworks, shows and burn bans?

Callahan County Commissioners enacted a burn ban, effective June 10. But the 90-day order will not affect Fourth of July celebrations, and individuals will be allowed to responsibly use fireworks bought retail.

Shackleford County has continued a similar burn ban as well.

Other counties such as Taylor and Jones have no burn ban, or none planned in the near future. Regardless of the absence of a burn ban, however, Taylor County residents won't be enjoying a zoo fireworks show this year.

The Abilene Zoo's annual fireworks show had taken place each year near the youth soccer fields, which are now under construction.

"2023 was our last year for fireworks," Denae Duesler, development manager at the zoo, said.

There will, however, be a fireworks show at Wylie High School stadium July 3 hosted by WT Connect. Tickets cost $13.24 each and include a hot dog buffet and a live band.

Stands began selling retail fireworks to consumers beginning Monday, but the law dictates where they can be set off. The retail season ends midnight July 4.

No restrictions on fireworks

Taylor County officials decided against a burn ban at the June 4 County Commissioners meeting in a unanimous vote to take no action on the matter.

"People still have got to be very careful with their burning," Commissioner Randy Williams said after the vote.

County Judge Phil Crowley said the lack of action only applies to unincorporated areas of Taylor County.

The city of Abilene, on the other hand, prohibits all fireworks within city limits by ordinance .

Taylor County Commissioner Chuck Statler said the reason for the lack of a burn ban is due to the recent rains in the county, as well as the relatively low risk for wildfire.

Statler said the Keetch-Byram Drought Index is 192 on average for Taylor County. A KDBI of 575 would indicate an imminent danger of a wildfire.

In a map from the Texas Weather Connection , Abilene is located in the blue region with the lowest risk for wildfires as of Wednesday.

Taylor County officials will therefore not restrict the sale of fireworks, according to a recent announcement . They do, however, "want to encourage citizens to use caution this 4th of July season when igniting fireworks."

They asked citizens to be aware, however, that it is a class C misdemeanor and a $500 fine for the use of fireworks on a Taylor County Road" despite the lack of a burn ban.

Similarly, in Jones County, there are no restrictions on fireworks, and there is no current burn ban, according to the office of Jones County Judge Dale Spurgin.

'Public safety hazard'

Dry conditions in the unincorporated areas of Callahan County have prompted county commissioners to respond with a burn ban, which went into effect June 10.

Statler said the rainfall has not been evenly distributed across Callahan County, and as more grass turns brown, it creates more potential fuel for a fire.

According to a Callahan County proclamation , these dry conditions could "create a public safety hazard" exacerbated by outdoor burns, so the county has banned all outdoor burning, to include grilling over an open flame.

The county plans to enforce this ban by fining violators with a penalty up to $1,000. Violators could even see jail time of up to 180 days behind bars.

Residents are also required to notify the Callahan County Sheriff's Office and the appropriate volunteer fire department of any upcoming prescribed or agricultural burns, and to avoid burning under windy or low humidity conditions.

Notable exceptions to this policy include farmers harvesting crops, mining operations or firefighters in training.

When asked about the ban June 12, Callahan County Judge Nicki Harle initially said that "fireworks are included in the burn ban" although they were not mentioned specifically.

Harle followed up with The Reporter-News on Tuesday because on Monday, Callahan County Commissioners reviewed the burn ban and discussed what it covers.

Harle said in that discussion, commissioners noted the ban did not include fireworks because "they did not think it was necessary."

"I stand corrected," Harle said.

She emphasized the burn ban should not affect Clyde's Festival by the Lake on June 28 and 29, but that she hoped that no fires would begin as a result of any fireworks' sparks or flames.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: UPDATED: What's up with Big Country fireworks, shows and burn bans?