“I talked to the Forest Service this morning and our drought index is 530,” County Judge Mark Barr told commissioners Monday. “We have to be at 575 before we can enact this prohibition, and that's set by the state legislature. It doesn't have anything to do with the local county government or anything like that. We have to abide by what the legislature says. “This was a big deal last year during the legislative session, and i think they hit on it in the newspaper how much stroke the fireworks people have.”

The court did grant Barr the authority to sign the ban — which would outlaw any missile or rocket style firework with a fin or stick attached to it — into law if the drought index rises to the required 575 in the next few days.

“They (the state legislature) enacted this fire index, and it has to be at 575, so we can't take any formal action on it today,” said Barr. “However, I would ask that the court allow me to have the authority to put this (fireworks prohibition) in place by June 13. We have to have it done no later than June 13. After that, we're just too late no matter what the drought index is.

“I would like to express a real concern about this. We had several fires in the county just yesterday (Sunday), and if we don't have this ban on these fireworks, it's going to get a lot worse. I'd like for everyone to be very conscious of our conditions right now. We could lose a lot of property — and even some lives — if these fireworks get out of hand. So please be very, very careful.”

Volunteer Fire Chief Tommy Sullivan said the index requirement and subsequent lack of a fireworks ban could spell disaster for the county during the holiday.

“That's leaves us in a world of trouble,” said Sullivan firmly. “What we're going to have to do is rely on enforcement. You can't shoot these (fireworks) from the roadways or from property that's not yours. In the midst of this we're going to have to have a higher level of enforcement because it's so volatile right now.

“We responded to seven calls, just on Sunday. A train started four of them at one time. It's just so volatile out there right now. The fuel out there is just so dry, and a little bit is going to do us in. People think these fireworks — whether it's bottle rockets or just firecrackers — aren't a big deal, but they are wrong.”

If the county is unable to enact a ban on the sticked and finned fireworks, Sullivan said the only hope to stave off a deadly slew of fires will be to strictly enforce the law.

“We're going to have to get out there and write tickets,” said Sullivan. “I'm pushing hard for that. And it's not worth a ticket or someone losing their life out there because of these fireworks. You can go to Pops in the Park and enjoy the fireworks there in a controlled situation, plus you can save a lot of money you'd spend at the fireworks stand. There are millions of dollars spent every year on fireworks just to blow them up and leave trash lying around.

“Even if we did get the ban in place in time, I'm projecting 80 to 90 runs for the firefighters just from Friday, July 4, through that Sunday because it's a holiday weekend. That's going to extend the fireworks, so we're looking at a very high run-rate that weekend, and we pray to God we keep them all small. However, the potential for a big one certainly is there.”

Sullivan said the tickets can prove to be more costly than some residents might think.

“The tickets can be for up to $500,” said Sullivan. “Then, if they start a fire with fireworks and I have a firefighter get out there and get injured, it can turn into an arson case, which is a felony. It's just not worth the risk. I can't stress that enough.”

Also during Monday's meeting, Barr said his office has received several calls from county residents concerned by a story published in the Sunday, June 8, edition of the Herald that referred to the new county jail currently being constructed as a 112-bed jail, instead of a 96-bed facility.

The $11.57 million facility, which had been referred to in the past as a 96-bed jail, had always been intended to house 112 beds, according to Barr, in hopes of utilizing the facility to its fullest.

“I've gotten several calls about a 112-bed jail. I believe that's how it was in the paper Sunday,” said Barr. “That was never a change. That was put into the design of the building to make sure we could house the full 96 (inmates). State Jail Standards has a deal in there where you have to have a 10 percent cushion, so if we had kept it at 96 we would only be able to house 87 (inmates).

“Every new jail that is being built has this fudge factor — I'll call it a fudge factor — and that's why it's 112-beds, so we can house the full 96 (inmates). Nothing has ever changed about that. That was in the design from the very beginning. That's all that is, and I want to put that to rest.”

The 16-bed difference was brought to light recently by Commissioners Jerry Kilgore and Bill Crooker, who mentioned the 112-bed capacity during the May 12 meeting of the court.

“Whether anyone realizes it or not, our jail is rated with the (Jail) Commission at 112 beds, not 96 beds,” said Crooker.

Kilgore later confirmed the jail will have a total of 112 beds when construction is completed.

Howard County Road and Bridge Administrator Eddy Jameson confirmed Monday morning aggregate rock — being purchased under a contract with local business Laredo Paving — was being delivered to the jail job site, located on Big Spring's west side.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it