East Texas Burn Bans
Posted/updated on: June 21, 2011 at 2:43 pm
EAST TEXAS — The extremely dry weather has led to a number of counties taking precautions. Several counties have implemented burn bans due to the ongoing drought and several are considering banning fireworks. Officials say most of the state is under a red flag warning. Counties under burn bans include: Angelina, Morris, Cass, Harrison, Panola, Rusk, Cherokee, Anderson, Henderson, Navarro, Ellis, Nacogdoches, Shelby, and San Augustine.
Smith County Commissioners vote to restrict the sale and use of certain aerial fireworks outside of city limits for the Fourth of July fireworks season and as needed during existence of drought conditions. The ban applies to the sale and use of fireworks that are “rockets with sticks” or “missiles with fins.”
A ban on burning and fireworks has been filed by Angelina County Judge Wes Suiter due to drought conditions across the county. According to KETK and the Lufkin Daily News, Suiter said the burn ban must be extended by county commissioners within seven days and the fireworks ban must be approved by Gov. Rick Perry’s office within 60 hours. As for the yearly city display, Suiter said he is exempting organized fireworks shows under fire department supervision.
