Commissioners to mull fireworks ban

December 11, 2010

Howard County commissioners are expected to consider a ban on fireworks Monday morning, approximately a month after the government panel issued a burn ban in hopes of staving off wildfires in the Crossroads area.

County Judge Mark Barr said the county is required to wait until the drought index in the Crossroads area reaches a specific level before issuing a fireworks ban, a level Howard County has already surpassed.
“State law prevents us from putting a fireworks ban in place until the drought index reaches a certain point. However, we've gone well beyond that point,” Barr said. “The ban will affect rocket-type fireworks with fins. It's just so dry out there and there's so much fuel, we're worried it could pose a serious danger.”

According to Tommy Sullivan, chief of the county's volunteer fire department, the fireworks ban will help reinforce the impact of the recent burn ban at a crucial time for him and his fellow firefighters.

“I understand why people like to look at fireworks, especially around the holiday season,” Sullivan said. “However, the danger these fireworks pose just isn't worth it. A few minutes of fun isn't worth the amount of damage a fire can do, or worse, someone's life.”

According to Barr, the ban will only be for rocket-type fireworks with fins. However, both county officials are imploring local residents to use extreme caution when deal with any kind of ignition sources.