Fireworks and drought, a dangerous combination

MARY MEAUX
The Port Arthur News

June 29, 2009 07:23 pm

— As area drought conditions worsen so does the concern for safety during firework season.
Firework sales began June 24 and lasts through July 4 — a 10 days span where locals grab up everything from firecrackers and sparklers to high-in-the-sky aerial displays.
The popping of fireworks within all local city limits is outlawed and violators are subject to a citation from either the police or fire department, Port Arthur Police Chief Mark Blanton said.
Lamar State College-Port Arthur will host its 11th annual Independence Day celebration Saturday, July 4 and feature a fireworks display over the Sabine-Neches Waterway.
Patrons may view the fireworks show on the sea wall behind the Parker Center, just don’t bring your own cherry bombs or artillery shells.
“We encourage people not to pop their own fireworks. We are in drought conditions and this is a fire hazard,” Blanton said. “Citations can be issued by either the police department or the fire department.”
PAPD will enforce the ban on fireworks, especially with the drought conditions, he added.
Groves City Marshal Jeff Wilmore said the drought conditions bring a different perspective to firework safety. Firework fans are asked not to use bottle rockets or fireworks with fins. These types of fireworks can ignite easily under dry conditions.
The Southeast Texas area has a rainfall deficit of more than 5.6 inches causing Jefferson County Commissioners to enact a burn ban last week.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Eddie Arnold asks to be careful.
“ I know there will be some folks who want to pop some fireworks over the holiday but we want to encourage and appeal to public that though there isn’t a ban on fireworks, be careful,” he said.
Arnold also asked for those popping fireworks to pick up their debris because if not, the county will be responsible for cleanup.

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