Travis County Commissioners Court Extends Memorial Day Fireworks Selling Season

TRAVIS COUNTY, TX — In response to popular demand, Travis County Commissioners Court members unanimously on Tuesday approved extending the upcoming Memorial Day fireworks selling season.

Still, officials urged caution to those planning on celebrating with pyrotechnics. “While fireworks are exciting to see, they are very dangerous when misused—not only for the operator, but also for bystanders and nearby structures,” Travis County Fire Marshal Tony Callaway said.

He offered a series of safety tips to follow for those lighting up fireworks:

• Buy from reliable fireworks sellers, and never attempt to make your own fireworks or modify existing fireworks.
• To detonate fireworks, find a flat surface, away from buildings, dry leaves and grass.
• Have water on hand in case of a fire.
• Insist on adult supervision when buying or setting off fireworks.
• Read and follow label directions, warnings and instructions.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Never try to re-Iight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Never give fireworks to small children; even sparklers can cause serious burns.”

Of course, if drought conditions emerge, you might have to call the whole thing off. Under Local Government Code Section 352.051, the Commissioners Court is authorized to adopt an order prohibiting or restricting the sale of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the county if a determination has been made by the Texas Forest Service (TFS) that drought conditions exist, officials said. If the TFS determines that drought conditions exist ahead of Memorial Day, as well as the traditional Fourth of July, Cinco de Mayo and December holiday periods, the County can restrict the sale of fireworks, officials added.

In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1150 and authorized the sale of fireworks during three additional selling seasons, but only if the Commissioners Court adopts an order authorizing those sales: the Texas Independence Day fireworks season from February 25 through midnight on March 2, the San Jacinto Day fireworks season from April 16 through midnight on April 21, and the Memorial Day fireworks season from the Wednesday before the last Monday in May and ending at midnight on the last Monday in May, officials explained.

Local Government Code Section 352.051 also requires that any order that prohibits or restricts the sale of fireworks be adopted by the following dates for the three new selling seasons specified in House Bill 1150:

(a) by February 15 of each year for the Texas Independence Day fireworks season,

(b) by April 1 of each year for the San Jacinto Day fireworks season, and

(c) by May 15 of each year for the Memorial Day fireworks season.

Questions or concerns should be directed to the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office at (512) 854-9591 or visit the website by clicking here.

Memorial Day is observed on May 29.

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