A Fiery Fourth Could Have Been Worse

July 5, 2012 3:34 pm by: Laura Rice

Fireworks were likely involved in many of yesterday's grass fires, officials say. Photo by Filipa Rodrigues/KUT News

The Austin and Travis County fire departments have battled dozens of grass and trash fires in the last 24 hours.

But they say that for a hot, dry Fourth of July, there were actually fewer fires than they expected.

Most of the fires are still under investigation, but AFD Battalion Chief Thayer Smith says fireworks were likely involved in many of them.

“When you have 29 grass fires on the Fourth of July and on the third of July you only had two, certainly you would expect that the majority of those grass fires are obviously going to be related to fireworks,” Smith said.

Fire crews worry they could be busy with more fireworks-related fires this weekend as people continue to celebrate.

It’s illegal to have or to use fireworks in the city of Austin.

Travis County is under a burn ban. And just this morning, Hays County enacted an emergency burn ban.