County Judge Mark Barr said he signed the emergency order declaring a local state of disaster Thursday afternoon. He must now gain approval of the order from the state's emergency management director and the governor's office before the ban goes into effect.

Barr said he should receive word from state officials within the next two or three days.

Exceedingly dry conditions, combined with plenty of dry grass and brush in the area, have prompted county officials to consider either banning or severely limiting the sale and use of fireworks for at least the next few days. County firefighters have battled more than 200 grass and brush fires so far this year.

Midland, Ector and Andrews counties have instituted similar bands within the past week.

Currently, counties cannot ban fireworks sales and use unless the Keetch-Byram Drought Index wildfire assessment system surpasses 575. Barr said earlier this week that the index reading for Howard County surpassed the limit in some areas, while approaching it in others.

“But an emergency order would cover that, regardless of the index reading,” Barr said.

Barr said the ban would remain in effect through July 5, but it was unknown what impact it would have on the annual Pops in the Park celebration, which is highlighted by a fireworks show. He said he is in consultation with Pops Director Jan Hansen and state officials to try to resolve the matter.

“We need some clarification on how this would influence  Pops in the Park,” Barr said. “We don't want to do anything that would adversely effect that ... We'll just have to wait and see what the governor's office says.”

Big Spring Fire Marshal Carl Condray believes the ban will not prevent the Pops fireworks show.

“It is my understanding ... that it will have no effect on Pops in the Park,” Condray said. “That is a licensed, permitted show conducted by a trained technician. I support the fireworks ban. In fact, I'd rather people come to the licensed performance at the park rather than risk injury or property damage elsewhere.”

Hansen said she was hopeful the situation could be resolved in a way that allows the fireworks show to go forward. But the show, as the saying goes, will go on regardless, she added.

“We've been told our show is acceptable because it's done in a controlled situation, with the fire department standing by to help, just in case,” she said. “But if they mandate (a ban), we will certainly abide by it ... We'll still have a show. There will still be plenty of events scheduled, plus, we'll have the symphony performing.”

One particular problem a ban would cause Pops officials is they would have to decide what to do with donations submitted for this year's show. The lion's share of the cost of the event goes toward paying for the fireworks display.

“If we're not allowed to put on a fireworks show, we'll have to decide whether to reimburse people for their donations, or just carry that money forward to next year,” she said.

Aside from the pending ban, the sale and discharge of fireworks is prohibited within the Big Spring city limits. Persons violating the ordinance face a fine of up to $200, Municipal Judge Tim Green said.

Barr said anyone caught discharging fireworks on public roads or right-of-ways outside the city — or on private property without the owner's consent — would be subjected to a fine of up to $500.

The ban received enthusiastic approval from Tommy Sullivan, chief of the Howard County Volunteer Fire Department.

“We definitely need it,” he said. “We need all the help we can get to keep people safe ... We hate to ticket people for shooting off fireworks, but we're facing a drastic situation this year.”

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it