Fireworks go on sale with caution advised

With temperatures in the triple digits, the start of fireworks sales for the July 4 holiday came with a warning from authorities in Hardin County.

They're concerned about the dry conditions and the fire danger.

Hardin County Judge Billy Caraway is asking vendors to voluntarily avoid selling bottle rockets and fireworks that are described as "missiles with fins."

It's a request, not an order.

They're worried the start of fireworks season could lead to more fires.

At the Big Bang Fireworks Stand in Lumberton you can find anything from artillery shells to small poppers.

"It's tradition, fireworks and Southeast Texas go together," says Big Bang Fireworks Stand owner Jana Gunstream.

Jana Gunstream says she's ready to sell out of fireworks for the 4th of July, but firefighters are concerned about the dry conditions throughout Hardin County.

"From a firefighters point of view, we're in extreme drought," says Jim Philp, Lumberton Fire Marshal.

The heat and lack of rain have prompted authorities to issue a burn ban in the county, but that doesn't include fireworks.

Phil says the ground is so dry, when they did a fire test it took no more than 3 seconds for the grass to ignite.

"Surface moisture from the morning is gone relatively quickly as soon as the sun comes out and that makes fire behavior extreme," says Philp.

Philp says the extreme conditions could lead to even more problems for firefighters this summer.

"Forest fires will come if don't get rain. That's just a natural fact," says Philp.

And he says kindling the fire, is something many people love to do this time of year.

"I think as long as you're safe and watch children, you can ignite them. Fire them off for the 4th of July," says Gunstream.

Enjoying a show, and getting ready to put out any small flames, so the show ends safely.

Burn bans are in effect across more than 100 Texas counties.

Harris and Brazoria counites have issued disaster declarations, allowing the counties to ban the sale of bottle rockets and fireworks with fins.

There are no fireworks bans in Southeast Texas.