Staff Report
The Marion County Commissioners Court agreed to allow the annual Fourth of July fireworks show to carry on despite a burn ban being in place.
The Krewe of Hebe gave a short presentation to Commissioners Monday about the upcoming Jefferson Salutes America (JSA) event they host each year on Independence Day.
Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur imposed the county wide burn ban last week.
Since then his office has received inquiries about plans for the JSA fireworks show.
Richard Turner is a Krewe board member and City of Jefferson Alderman.
He addressed Commissioners Monday in an effort to explain precautions that will be in place to ensure safety.
Among these, the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department will be on standby in the event that something goes wrong.
The fireworks show takes place mostly over Big Cyrpess Bayou, so the JVFD will be standby at the bridge, which will be closed.
Turner said the fireworks show contract is with, Pyromania Fireworks, of Shreveport, who has insurance in place as well as the Krewe of Hebe.
He reminded the Court that they are a professional fireworks company. As such, they are very precautious, he said.
In addition to greenlighting the JSA firework display, the court gave approval for any other organization with planned firework displays to carry on as intended.
This includes to the Lake of the Pines Chamber of Commerce, who hosts the fireworks display at the lake.
LeFleur said residential fireworks are still banned however.
He discourages individuals from discharging fireworks.
The order notes that the burn ban does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for: (1) firefighter training; (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; (3) planting or harvesting of agricultural crops; or, (4) bums that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Section 153.048, Natural Resources Code, and meet the standards of Section 153.047, Natural Resources Code.