Friday, July 4, 1997
Area firefighters concerned about fires
By JERRY DANIEL REED / Abilene Reporter-News
Drought conditions don't officially afflict Taylor County,
but some rural residents and firefighters say there's plenty of
tinder out there just waiting for a careless spark - like from
an exploded Fourth of July firecracker.
A year ago, the county was in the midst of a declared drought,
and county commissioners had banned fireworks launches from public
roads while imposing strict conditions on fireworks activity on
private property.
But that was then. In the month just ended, Abilene received
more than double its normal rainfall (6.86 inches vs. 2.76). That
canceled the authority for commissioners to impose fireworks restrictions
based on a prevailing drought.
Still, plants dry out fast here under typical midsummer conditions
of high temperatures, low humidity and persistent breezes.
"There's some thatch (dead) growth under the existing
vegetation," said Sheriff Jack Dieken. "There is sufficient
fuel out there to start a fire."
Not only the dead, brown grass underneath, but the green grass
itself will burn, says Tommy Hudspeth, assistant chief of the
Eula Volunteer Fire Department.
"Not as fast, but it will burn," he said. Much of
the green grass also has brown seed heads that burn more readily
than the green blades, he said. Hudspeth said most fires from
fireworks start in borrow ditches along county roads.
"The majority of people are good about taking care and
watching, but you have some who don't know what they're doing,"
he said. Many come out from Abilene to avoid the city's ban on
private fireworks, he said.
Though his deputies can't prevent people from setting off fireworks
from public roads, Dieken said they'll keep traffic moving and
break up any obstruction or congestion on the roads.
Playing with fireworks on someone else's land without permission
is criminal trespassing, and setting a fire by careless handling
of fireworks could bring a criminal mischief charge, Dieken warned.
A civil lawsuit for any damages caused by such fire is also a
risk, he said.
Dieken called for "due caution" and "common
sense" in celebrating the holiday.
A public spectacular featuring fireworks far more powerful
than private citizens may legally buy will follow tonight's Abilene
Prairie Dogs-Lubbock Crickets contest at Crutcher Scott Field.
The ball game usually ends about 10 to 10:15.
Send a Letter to the Editor about This
Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address) of This Story
to A Friend:
Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
|
