Earlier this week Hays County Judge Cobb signed a local disaster declaration for Hays County and a proclamation prohibiting the use of all fireworks or pyrotechnics within Hays County. The declaration and ban was approved by the full Commissioners Court. The declaration cites the determination that the drought and other weather-related conditions pose a significant threat to Hays County citizens, their property, and wildlife.

Under state law, the County has limited authority over fireworks unless the County’s emergency management plan is activated. The ban will be in effect until the Governor’s Statewide Disaster Declaration is rescinded or the County determines the need for the ban no longer exists. The Commissioners Court currently reviews the countywide burn ban at its weekly meeting and will include consideration of the fireworks ban at the same time. The County has been under a burn ban since mid December 2010, but by state law fireworks are not part of the standard burn ban.

Violations of the ban can result in a Class C misdemeanor citation with up to a $500 fine. Hays County Fire Marshal Mark Chambers noted that damage to property from a fire started by fireworks can also result in civil lawsuits being brought by the affected parties.

Chambers said that as of Tuesday morning, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index was at 671 out of 800 and was expected to go higher due to continued low humidity, high winds and long-term drought conditions.