Burn ban on, fireworks allowed

Editor’s Note: This article is published as a correction to an article published last week, which had incorrect information on the burn ban.

While fireworks are allowed this Fourth of July, Wimberley Fire Chief Carroll Czichos is asking residents to use extra caution as the ground has dried out significantly over the recent weeks.

“Sticks and fins on fireworks are allowed this year,” Czichos said. “To eliminate stickes and fins you have to meet certain criteria. The KBI Index (which measures dryness) has to be over 600 and it has to be 15 days in advance. 15 days ago we were in the 300 to 400 range, so those are allowed.”

Fireworks are allowed within the Wimberley City Limits, but not within the Woodcreek City Limits.

“If you shoot fireworks, try and verify anything that falls to the ground,” Czichos said. “Go over and look. All of the (fireworks debris) you gather up afterwards let that sit there for at least an hour to cool it down. Then when you put them up, put them in a metal container not in a plastic trashcan and leave the trashcan outside.”

“Remember, if your fireworks start a fire and it leaves your property, you are responsible for the damage the fire causes,” Czichos emphasized.

Also have a source of water on hand when using fireworks. Last year, there were multiple fires started on the Fourth of July by fireworks in the Wimberley Valley.

The burn ban is also in effect throughout Hays County. That includes both the cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek.

“The city of Woodcreek essentially has a burn ban on year round,” Czichos said or the outdoor burning ordinance in Woodcreek that limits fires. “The city of Wimberley’s burn ban goes on immediately when the county puts a burn ban in effect.”