Before purchasing a patriotic sparkler this weekend, Lubbock officials urge caution during severe drought season.
Despite a few inches of rain in the past week, the United States Drought Monitor recorded a range of abnormally dry to exceptionally dry throughout the South Plains with Lubbock County in the middle at a severe drought rating.
The county is currently under a 90 day burn ban which will be reevaluated at first of August. Therefore, any fireworks activity needs to be strictly supervised.
Fireworks sales start on Sunday, June 24 and will run through July 4 at midnight.
“Confetti party poppers, sparklers, all of that, and then all the way up to the big 500 grams,” Co-Owner of Wholesale Fireworks Sonni Menaldi said.
Menaldi and her husband have been in the Lubbock fireworks sales business for the last 10 years. Together they own stands at three separate locations: 1301 84th Street, 50th and Buffalo Springs Road, and 6301 Hwy 87.
With each sale, Menaldi said they remind their customers of safety precautions to take with each specific firework.
“As soon as you get done with the fireworks just throw a little bit of water on it just to make sure it’s out,” Menaldi said. “No danger of any after-light because there’s a lot of times people will think it’s out and it’s not all the way out.”
Fire officials recommend a bucket of water and or sand nearby when handling fireworks. They also asked for adult supervision at all times and use additional caution with the high speed winds.
Any individual in possession or using fireworks within city limits could be charged with a fine up to $1,000 dollars.
“Check weather, check wind, and you check the surrounding area,” John White with TNT Fireworks said. “You never want to do it in a highly flammable area, and of course take into consideration any buildings or anything that might be close by.”
White helps with six different TNT Fireworks stands throughout town. He said they read over the warning label on each individual purchase.
“I taught history for 41 years and this is our holiday,” White said. “This is our independence, it’s our celebration and traditionally we’ve done it with fireworks. But you always want to make sure that it’s done safely and done properly. So that’s an important part of the celebration.”
