County prohibits aerial fireworks

The Donley County Commissioners Court approved a fireworks ban Monday, June 9.

According to County Judge Jack Hall, this ban means that citizens cannot set off fireworks that are sky rockets with sticks or missiles with fins, but it does allow the use of small fireworks that are Class C explosives or large fireworks that shoot up in the air and don’t hit the ground.

Hall said that the ban will remain in effect for at least a month or until the Texas Forest Service decides that drought conditions do not still exist.

Failure to obey the ban will result in a Class C misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

City ordinance also prohibits the use of fireworks in the city limits.

“The reason we put this ban into effect is because of the dry condition of the county. We’re trying to make an effort to protect the property of the residents in Donley County,” Hall said.

This ban creates complications for Kathleen Yankie, who owns Yankie’s Firework Stand and has been selling fireworks for more than 25 years.

“It’s just like any other business. If you cut down what you sell, you don’t get very much business. We can still sell the smaller items though,” Yankie said.

Another fireworks stand that will be affected by the ban is owned by the Jesus Name Apostolic Church, which has relied on the sale of fireworks as their annual fundraiser for 17 years.

“I think they’re being more than fair with not banning all sales considering the dry conditions,” operator Beverly Burrow said.

“Last year, locals and out of towners alike were using caution and being respectful of the items that they were buying to keep it in control,” she said.

For rural residents like Jerry Gage, the ban seems like a reasonable approach to less trouble during July 4th activities.

“On two separate occasions, I’ve had to call the fire department to put out fires in my pasture due to people trying to hunt a place to shoot fireworks off on the 4th of July,” Gage said.

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce is considering holding a program like they did last year that will allow citizens to meet at Lake Greenbelt and set their fireworks off together. But Chamber Executive Director Judy Burlin said plans for that event have not been confirmed or finalized.

“I think that it’s a good deal to take your fireworks down to the lake and set them off at the same time. It’s way prettier that way,” Yankie said.