Hays County New Year's bans fireworks

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - The Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday banned the sale and use of fireworks with sticks and fins because of the potential fire hazard.

Charcoal and gas grills are exempt from the ban, but burning in “burn barrels” - including barrels with screens on the top - is not allowed.

The fireworks ban covers the New Year's holiday because the items can only be sold the day immediately before and immediately after Jan. 1.

“If you are grilling outdoors, please use extreme caution,” Mark Chambers, Hays County Fire Marshal said. “Make sure you have a water source nearby to douse escaping sparks and never leave your grill unattended. Place the grill away from anything else that could catch fire, including your house, and don’t dispose of coals until you are certain they are cold.”

Travis County commissioners, meanwhile, held off on imposing a burn ban, but left open the possibility of revisited the matter later in the week.